This game indeed had a Halloween feel, with the night sky being lit up periodically by fireworks and loud gunshot like bangs. The lights were on, and the game itself was played in perfect conditions for rugby at headquarters. This game emphasised the importance of a squad, which is what is needed in this division given how competitive it is. It also showed the importance of playing to the final whistle.

The home team started well, but after the opening exchanges conceded a penalty on the 10-meter line which was slotted over by the 10 from Barnhall to give them the first points of the game. However, their lead did not last long and after concerted pressure by the Lansdowne pack. After 10 minutes it was left to prop Oscar Egan to score for the second week in a row, from close in on the right-hand side with the extras added. An injury led playmaker and out-half Tom Bohan off the pitch, and positional changes made in the home side’s backline. They were dominating their opponents during this phase of the game, and again after some fine forward play Barry Fitzpatrick scored a good try again from close in which was converted by Oisin Devitt leaving the score at 14 - 3.

Barnhall struck back with a penalty of their own to narrow the scoreline, but the J1 team got on top of their opponents, and after a good break from Oisin Devitt, an inside pass to centre Louis McGauran ran in well from the ‘22-meter line to score close to the left-hand posts. The conversion was made and the scoreline moved out to 19 - 6.

The onslaught continued in the first half and a further try followed from full back Harry Coughlan, who showed good pace in breaching the defence from the 22-meter line to score a try, 26 - 6. It had been a ruthless display by the home team who had earned a bonus point and were shutting out their opponents. Simply put, when their chances came their way, they were taking those chances. The writer felt the game was almost over as a contest, the halftime message was to the drive home that advantage.

The opening exchanges of the second half mirrored a lot of what we had seen in the first half. The pressing play of the J1 team was putting them into good field positions and it was from one of these good positions that Hardus Van Eeden showing great upper body strength muscled his way over from close in. With the conversion added by Devitt made the score 33 -6.

It was getting ugly for Barnhall who were living off scraps of possession, but they upped their game and started to throw caution to the wind. This tactic proved positive for them after changes were made to the home team meaning that some forwards ended up playing in the back line and others were playing out of position. The net result of this was that some tackles were fallen off and breaks started to be made by Barnhall, and it was left to their speedy right winger to run one such break in for a try along the left-hand touch line with a fine conversion added making the score 33 -13.

The game at this stage became a little scrappy and both teams were cancelling each other out with a lot of the play around the halfway line one side or the other. Following the concession of a penalty, Lansdowne gained good field position close to the Barnhall line and lock Conor McMenamin after repeated phases muscled his way over following some good play to score. 40 - 13.

This writer would have felt the game would have petered out but in fairness to the away team they never gave up, and in truth enjoyed their best period of the game in the last quarter.
 They were moving the ball and setting up phases to allow their backline gain ground and it was from one of these attacks that the line break was made, and a further open running score was achieved by them which was converted and brought the scoreline back to 40 - 20. Again, no need to panic for the J1 team but the balance of the side and the importance of the squad was being put to the test.
 Barnhall continued to attack, and their No.14 right winger scored a fine opportunist try, cutting through the home defence from the halfway line after making a diagonal run and outpacing the chasers to score near the left-hand corner converted to 40 - 27.
 
From the bench the message was to up the pace and regain dominance, but with the clock running down one felt that Barnhall had left themselves too much to do. They did continue the pattern of the game by attacking the home side and they must be congratulated for this. They got their reward in the last play of the game, making a breakout from their own half and with the ball going through hands were able to outpace the home defence, and score under the posts with the conversion added to leave the final score at 40 - 34.

This game was much closer than it should have been however you cannot complain any time you get a bonus point win, even though our opponents also got a bonus point for four tries and a losing bonus point. This game had been won in the first half by a dominant home team who had showed ruthlessness in taking their chances when they came their way and there was a mixture of scorers this week.

Mention this week for Barry Fitzpatrick at No. 7 who had a fine first half and is ever industrious and hard working in his display. Louis McGauran who showing his versatility in playing in the back line scoring his try and had an excellent all-round performance. Also, Donegal’s finest Big Conor Mc had his usual hard-working performance, and Aidan Long also did well from the bench.

The J1 as a team continued their momentum forward and on their day are a good watch for the brand of rugby they play. The division this season feels like a higher standard and shows the strength of club rugby. The way the results went in this division this weekend means that it is wide open, and it is the team who can put together a run of victories who have an opportunity to take control of the top spot. Let us hope it is this J1 team who do that.

The next fixture is an away to UCD on Sunday the 10th of November, and the J1 team will be hoping to continue where they left off and forward press towards the top of this division.