Inst 1st XV too strong for Grosvenor
25/01/2010
25/01/2010
After a passionate war cry the CAI team began strongly and their bright start was rewarded with a try ten minutes into the game. A solid scrum from the CAI pack caused confusion in the Grosvenor back row. Patrick Farrell capitalized on a mistake from the Grosvenor scrum- half to run from the opposition ten metre line for a try which was converted by Ritchie McMaster. The rest of the first half was riddled with mistakes from both sides but excellent work in the loose from Michael Shiels and Keith McKnight allowed the Coleraine team to stay in front. The Grosvenor side had few chances to score but a penalty towards the end of the half left them only 7-3 down.
Again CAI started well and an early McMaster penalty put them 10-3 ahead. The CAI team continued to dominate possession, with McMaster using centres Dean Rankin and Andrew McKnight to good effect. On fifty eight minutes another scrum mistake allowed Kyle Markey to score a well taken try. McMaster converted leaving the score 17-3. The CAI team remained in front and out of trouble thanks to some excellent counter attacking from Alex Gourley who was solid under the high ball all day. Then a defensive error allowed Grosvenor to have a scrum five metres from the CAI line. Grosvenor scored in the corner and converted the try. This set up a nail biting finish but CAI held on to win 17-10.
Patrick Farrell
