Connacht Junior 1A League

Creggs Rugby 76, Galwegians RFC 5.

With their showdown against Connemara looming on the horizon, Creggs probably needed a sterner test than that provided by Galwegians at The Green on Sunday. However, the home side maintained their pursuit of leaders Connemara with a high scoring bonus point win over Galwegians.

CONNACHT JUNIOR 1A LEAGUE TABLE

While they erased the haphazard second-hand performance from the previous weekend, it wasn’t all convincing. Having bagged the bonus point with just over half an hour played, things unravelled a bit thereafter as Creggs sometimes departed from their systems and played a more flamboyant brand of rugby.

Maurice Buckley’s try on 4 minutes was the first of 12 in what ultimately became a rout but perhaps of more significance than the tryfest was the fact that the Creggs place kickers greatly improved their conversion percentages and there were no concerning additions to a lengthening injury list.

Shane Dowd converted Buckley’s try and a couple of minutes later his own following a searing break from his 22 by Brian Diffley, next up was a kick chase from Chris Duignan and the bonus point was clinched on 24 minutes when Sean Og Higgins crossed near the posts after a remarkable jinking run by Ronan Dowd who added the conversion.

This left the score 26-5, Wegians having hit back on the quarter hour but Creggs quickly added three further tries from Tom Callaghan, Kevin Brandon and Tom Oates, all converted by Ronan Dowd to leave them out of sight by half time.

Trailing 47-5 at the interval Wegians showed great fortitude in defending their lines during a scoreless third quarter but once James Brandon’s try broke the second half deadlock there followed in quick succession tries from Michael Feeley, Luke Meehan, Duignan’s second from a judicious Tom Callaghan cross-kick and finally Ronan Cahill on the stroke of full time.

This was Creggs game in hand over Connemara and moves them to within a point of the leaders. So Sunday’s game takes on the significance of a cup match and is a must win for both sides, perhaps even more so for Creggs who have been chasing the League from the outset and with away games to Buccaneers and Sligo have a much stiffer run in than the All Blacks.

Creggs Rugby: Ronan Dowd, Thomas Flynn, Tom Callaghan, James Brandon, Chris Duignan, Andrew Callaghan, Shane Dowd, Sean Og Higgins, Maurice Buckley, Aidan Leech, Kevin Brandon (Capt.), Tom Oates, Ronan Cahill, Edward Clinton, Brian Diffley, Brian Coady, Michael Feeley, Luke Meehan and Michael Holland.