Balbriggan RFC’s U13’s played their last Leinster League match at home against Coolmine RFC on Thursday night. Balbriggan had already won all six of their games in the League and were hoping to make a clean sweep of it with victory in their final outing before the playoffs. This was a very tough encounter against a really strong and well drilled Coolmine outfit. Balbriggan got off to the perfect start, scoring a try through Jimmy McFadden after just a minute was played. Jimmy ran in from half way and made his way under the posts. Will Kavanagh added the points. Captain Josh Buraimoh doubled Balbriggan’s lead within minutes with another fine try, also converted by Will Kavanagh. Things settled down after that and Coolmine came more and more into the game. By the close of the first half Coolmine were becoming very dominant, and their pressure was rewarded by a well worked try that was converted. HT 14 v 7 to Balbriggan. The second half was truly incredible. Coolmine continued where they left off and really began to show their strength. They ran in three tries in the space of 10 minutes, none of which they managed to convert. They now had a lead 14 v 22 and continued to pressure Balbriggan. They were camped on Balbriggan’s line for a lengthy spell and were awarded a penalty try with about 15 minutes of the game remaining. They were now 14 v 29 in front and looked good for a victory over their hosts. Balbriggan dug deep and from somewhere deep down, they found the ability to come back from the death. Reuben Rabiu ran in and scored a lovely try to the right of the posts that went unconverted. This was the only kick of the night missed by young Kavanagh. Captain Buraimoh then struck from deep and with a fast and swerving run, fending off numerous would be tacklers, he scored a wonder try near the posts. Will Kavanagh added the extras and suddenly Balbriggan were back in touch at 26 v 29. The Balbriggan boys roared each other on and came looking for a score that would put them back in front. Jimmy McFadden delivered with another long range effort, running up the touch line before moving in towards the posts. His try was converted and Balbriggan had regained the lead, 33 v 29. There were only a couple of minutes left but still time for one further try. Josh Buraimoh made another surging run up field. Coolmine chased him down and tackled him but not before he passed to Dylan Stout in support. This passage resulted in a scrum to Balbriggan. Oisin McNamara made a break from the scrum on the left of the field and scored out wide to the right. Will Kavanagh added a wondrous conversion to leave the final score at Balbriggan 40 v 29 Coolmine. The lads were delighted and relieved to have secured a victory in one of the toughest tests they have faced since moving up to youths. Credit to an excellent Coolmine side who played some lovely flowing rugby throughout the match. Finally, it was great to see that Balbriggan could pick from a squad of 22 players on the evening with every member of the squad contributing to the victory.
