A slightly depleted Stingers squad travelled to Mullingar RFC this morning for a highly anticipated blitz. First match was against the DLSP Eagles – with many familiar faces in their squad. Additionally there was very welcome familiar faces in the Green of the Stingers with the return of captain David Sharpe,who was delighted to be back, and Bulldog extraordinaire Stephen who took advantage of the break in provincial rugby to make himself available!
Early honours went the way of Balbriggan with a charging run and a clever offload from Josh sending Ashwin over the line. DLSP hit back with a quick try if their own – but the score line didn’t last as Dillon got one the scoresheet for the first of his tries today. Persistent defence by the Stingers thwarted the Eagles, then the mighty Philip ran the length of the pitch unopposed to make it 3-1. DLSP fought hard to cross the line just before the final whistle, with final score 3-2 to the Stingers.
Next up were the Clontarf Bulls who had both youth and numbers on their side. A very different game, the Bulls took an early lead finding gaps in the Balbriggan defence. What followed was a multitude of tags which frustrated the boys in green until Ashwin made a jinking run to touchdown and bring the sides level. Again the Bulls retaliated with a second score, but a well executed restart from the Stingers resulted in Josh being tagged on the Bulls line. Repeated attempts then brought success for the Stingers as Dillon crossed the whitewash for his second try of the day to level the scores again, but 2 further unanswered tries from the Bulls meant the final score was 4-2 for the opposition.
Still catching their breath from the challenge of the Bulls, it was straight into the next game against Westmanstown Wasps. While familiar opposition they took advantage of the Stingers missing some regular players to score two tries before Balbriggan could respond with another excellent team try finished by Stephen. There then followed time after time where Balbriggan were stopped just short of the line until Oisin spotted a gap and made a charging run to make it 2-2. But the sting was in the tail of the Wasps rather than Balbriggan when, after a number of attacks were held up short, Westmanstown sealed the games fate with a beautiful individual try to finish it 3-2 to the Wasps.
Final game saw the Stingers face host team the Lions. Looking like a replay of the previous match, the Lions were first on the scoresheet with a charging attack. Balbriggan however we’re not going to lie down and responded with multiple attempts, culminating in Dillon achieving a much deserved hat trick try. Showing speed, agility and leadership in equal measures, Ashwin then set up a Philip special to stretch the lead – but home town pride gave the Lions the extra impetus to score 2 tries in short succession to level the scores again. Philip was unlucky not to be awarded a second try when a TMO check found that he had been detagged inches away from scoring, but that did not deter him from the assist of the day as he again charged forward but, motioning to Oisin to move out wide, then sent a looping pass his way to a clear run in to put the Stingers ahead, but on pitch confusion caused by the adjacent referees whistle, along with quick thinking by the Lions, helped them to bring the score to a very well matched 4-4.
A fantastic day of sportsmanship, smiles and shenanigans for all!!
