Proceedings on the pitch were postponed as players and supporters shared a minute’s silence for the recent passing of much-loved members of both clubs, Mark McCormack, from St Mary’s and from the Lansdowne family, Tom Keane, Jerry Liston and Miriam Hillary (nee Davy). May they rest in peace.

Those of us that escaped the dining room to the sidelines for the match witnessed a frantic opening as Marys’ back row Ronan Watters caught the drop out clean from his out half Conor Deane and was only held up in his charge to the line by a wonderful tackle from flanker Ross O’Neill and do or die rucking from the rest of the pack.  We remained under pressure for a series of phases, but we managed to slow their delivery from rucks and our backs’ defense was resolute. After what seemed like an age, the ball was finally turned over and it came out the back line to be cleared by a mighty hoof down the pitch into their 22 by none other than number 8 Barry Fitzpatrick.

A period of well-matched give and take followed, but at least we were in their half for most of it.  Our lineouts were pristine, with Bobby Sheehan finding his choice of jumpers Juan Beukes, Matt Healy and Ruari Clarke with a sniper’s precision. The scrums were a slightly different story, however. Now nobody who played with a number nine or higher on their backs is qualified to comment on what goes on in that dark cauldron known as the “scrummage”, but we seemed to win the first nudge and then give way rather than press our advantage. But what do I know? The opening period of intense pressure having been withstood, we now had possession and territorial control and when penalties against Marys started to mount up, our faultless lineout and maul was rewarded with a well-deserved penalty try on 15 minutes.  7 - 0.

Meanwhile, back in the dining room … “And I’d just like to say hello also to Craig Whelan, who taught me most of what I know about rugby … ” 
Our defence of the restart was an improvement on that at the opening of the game, but Marys now had the edge in terms of territory and possession.  They moved the ball left and right but, apart from one or two heart stopping moments when their winger, Aaron O’Sullivan seemed to find a gap, our defence was resilient. In so close a contest played between such tight margins, there were bound to be penalties. Marys were first to concede a significant slap on the wrist when their scrum half, Rob Gilsenan, was sent to the sideline, but when we conceded a penalty within range of their kicker, centre Mick O’Gara, we too felt the sting of referee Robbie Jenkinson’s whistle.  7 – 3.

Marys’ pressure continued to the end of the half but energetic defence and a couple of uncharacteristically wayward kicks from Deane kept us ahead when the break came.
But back in the Zurich Room, however, there was what sounded like a joke … “And great to see some of our revered Alicadoos and past presidents here tonight. When you look at those wrinkled faces and bodies, it’s a pity the new AI platform CROK doesn’t create an app which actually puts MORE clothes on people …!”

The second half opened with the same frenzy as the first had with our forwards, George Morris and Greg McGrath launching a dramatic assault on Marys’ line, halted by a last ditch tackle from Marys and a fumble in the ensuing ruck. Soon after, Marys would do the very same in our half, both sides suffering from “white line fever” according to the match day commentator.  However, ten minutes into the second half Marys took up position in our half winning a penalty which O’Gara put inside our 22 for a lineout.  The maul that followed edged dangerously close before their prop Oisin Michel broke off the back, passed inside to scrum half Rob Gilsenan who was taken down within a meter of the line. The ruck that followed was brisk and lethal as the other prop, Mick McCormack plucked the ball up and went over for a try. The conversion put them in the lead against us for the first time in 140 minutes of play, if you want to look at it that way. 7 – 10.

The remainder of the game marked the triumph of defence over attack as endeavor was snuffed out before it even got started. Credit to the toughness and stamina of players on both sides, but with such talented backs at both ends of the pitch, an independent observer might have hoped to see a little more creativity and enterprise on display.
As the game approached the last ten minutes, a high tackle led to a kickable penalty and O’Gara stretched the visitors’ lead to 7 - 13.  The final phases saw our side enhanced by the fresh legs of subs Harry Van Eeden, Jack Matthews and Tom Barry and none of them left anything out on the pitch in their efforts to get over the line, but we just couldn’t break through. A creditable bonus point, but a disappointing start to the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, back in the club house “and finally … hang on, where is everybody?”

Next game The Bowl at UCD on Saturday 24 January.  We’ll have to bring all our class and style if we’re to get our revenge on the students. See you there.

Match Report - Brian Whelan
 
Match photos can be viewed here - Michael O'Brien