Gorey J1's like their counterparts the J2's were travelling to Park Avenue on Friday night with the intention of coming away with a win thus leapfrogging Railway Union in the league and in doing so become league leaders. Gorey were travelling to Dublin unbeaten and with a slightly altered team due to injuries with new players been added to the squad, knew they had a task ahead of them. This was a very strong Railway Union team who only had one lost away to North Kildare but in their wins had picked up bonus points to leave them on top of the table.
The game kicked off under lights on a very chilly evening with a modest crowd present. With both 
sides trying to get the measure of each other it was Gorey's, Micheal Woods who made the first big break and after side stepping a few players was brought down in Railway's 22 and from the resulting ruck Gorey were awarded a pentaly, which Stephen Dukes put over to give first blood to Gorey. With 3 pts on the board for Gorey from the restart Railway started to threaten their tryline with some very pacey back line players, but when a backline move was in full swing Neville Copeland intercepted a pass and ran the full length of the pitch to score under the post. The conversion was quickly taken by Stephen Dukes and Gorey suddenly found themselves 10pts to the good and starting to get into this game. Some competitive rugby was play by both sides leading to a very even contest at this stage and Railway replied with a try off the back of a scrum and with a missed conversion left it 10pts to 5pts. Gorey regrouped and began to pile on pressure of their own and after continous recycling of the ball James Nolan beat the defence to score in the corner. This was follow by a sweet conversion from Stephen Duke and Gorey reach the end of the first half 17pts to 10pts to the good .
The second half recommenced and Gorey continued where they had left off. At this stage of the game Gorey played some of the nicest rugby I have seen them play for a while and the next move would have pride of place on any TV screen. From a ruck the ball was passed out to the back line and when it reached No 12, James Nolan, he took it forward crashing up into the Railway Union's defence and gained great ground, the ball was placed lovely for Adian O'Brien to whip it out the line and with great hands Darren Dunne scored in the corner to finish off a lovely move. Again with some great kicking Stephen Dukes converted and Gorey were now 24pts to 5pts ahead. Railway scored their second try off a loose kick from Gorey, however this was then followed by another Gorey try which saw James Nolan once more making a break and beating the defence with some great speed to score Gorey's fourth try thus securing the bonus point. This was followed by a penalty to Gorey leaving it 34pts to 10pts with 15 minutes to go. This was the last score Gorey would have as they seemed to sit back a bit and with a lot of changes been made let Railway Union back into the game.They scored three tries in quick succession and with one conversion left the final score was 34pts to 27pts and in doing so earned themselves two bonus points.
It was not a finish that Gorey will be pleased with having been so far ahead, but a win is a win and the signs are there of the quality rugby that Gorey can play and let's hope that they can stay on top of the table. Player of note has to be James Nolan who made his senior team debut having just turned eighteen on the day. Next Sunday sees Gorey take on Carlow (who are hot on Gorey's heels) at home in Clonattin K.O. 2.30pm

Team:1 Ciaran Smith. 2. Barry O'Connor 3. Jason Emery 4. Daragh O'Leary 5. Adrian Copeland 6. Jordan Ahern 7. Micheal Woods(Capt) 8. J.P.Redmond 9. Adian O'Brien 10. Stephen Dukes 11. John Condern 12. James Nolan 13. P.J.Clince 14. Darren Dunne 15. Nevil Copeland. 16. Ben Horan 17. Ciaran Smith 18. Fergal Bolger 19. Phil Horan 20. Sean O'Connor.