GOREY SURVIVE ANOTHER TEST TO STAY TOP
09/12/2013
Gorey survive another tough test to stay top
Gorey 16 Portlaoise 13
Portlaoise RFC travelled to Clonattin to take on a Gorey side who after last weekend's results had extended their lead at the top of Division 2A to seven points and are still unbeaten. Portlaoise were travelling to Gorey knowing that in this year's earlier fixture, Portlaoise ground out a draw against Gorey at home in driving rain and with their big and powerfull pack were eager to repeat this performance or even be the first to beat Gorey this season.
From the kick off it seemed this game was going to be a forwards battle with not much clean ball going to either back line and after a prolonged period of pressure from Portlaoise, Gorey work their way back into Portloaise's 22 and were awarded a penalty close to the posts, they opted for a kick to the corner and from the resulting line out play were brought back into Gorey's half. This seemed to set the tone of the game and it was left up to the forwards to battle it out. The game was not a great spectical with knockon's, scrums and penalties a plenty from either side, reaching halftime 3 points a side.
After the half time team talk Gorey returned and straight from the kick off went on the attack. Some great exchange play started by a run from James Nolan who passed to JP Redmond who in turn passed to Adrain Copeland to put it down under the posts with Nolan converting, the scores were now 10 points to 3 points and Gorey were looking to kick on from here. They followed this with another penalty by Nolan bringing the scores to 13points to 3points. But it was Portlaoise who dug deep and won many penalties out of Gorey and with only 15 minutes left in the game brought the score to 13points a piece. Gorey were soon to return into Portlaoise's 22 and after continuous pressure were awarded a penalty. The kick was taken by Nolan only to have the two touch judges flag it as over but the Referee judged it to be wide. Gorey carried on piling on the pressure and again carved out another penalty, this time Nolan made no mistake and the scores were now 16 points to 13 points. Portlaoise had a last minute chance to level the score but the kick went wide.
The League table will not state how a win was carved out but only the points that were awarded and Gorey extend their lead at the top of the table
Gorey now have a challenging game away next week against Mullingar and if they get a result, this should give us an indication as to how this League will finish.
All eyes will be on the Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin next week before the start of the Heineken Cup game between Leinster and Northhampton as the 89th Provincial Towns Cup draw will take place. Gorey will be eager to see who their opponents will be in the first round as on current form, Gorey will be hoping to do well in the competition this year
Team:1.Ed Warren 2. Fergal Bolger 3. Ciaran Allen 4. JP Redmond 5. Adrain Copeland 6. Jordan Ahern 7. Ben Horan 8. Jason Emery 9. Adain O'Brien 10. Stephen Duke 11. John Condren 12. Matt Bater 13. James Nolan 14. Sean O'Connor 15. PJ Clince 16. Barry O'Connor 17. Willie Kearney 18. Philip Horan 19. Robert Harrington 20. Colin French