Emerald Warriors 0 Lansdowne 52, Tymon Park. 28/02/2009

Kav 4 Warriors nil

After most of the team getting lost, we eventually found the worst pitch in Dublin. Much to the disappointment of Chris 'Does my bum look big in this?' Reid, who had shaved (his legs) and had a haircut and to the relief of Jeff '4 wives' Iszeham there were separate changing rooms and showers at this council facility.
When the team was read out there where a couple of puzzled looks on the players faces. Why was Gibney playing at 12 and on the bench at the same time (sorry Gibney or is it Gants)?. Why was Chris on the bench and Rob Moore at hooker?(Chris was starting for the A's on Sunday so we gave him a rest(he is 40 you know).
After all the confusion was cleared up we headed out on the 5 min trek to the pitch.
Anyway lets get on with the match.
A mins silence was observed as a mark of respect of the passing away of our team mate Enda's Father last week. As our head coach was attending the funeral on our behalf, it was left to assistant coach Smithy to step up once again.

The warriors were looking fit (no not in that way) and with their Leinster branch coach they could have caused us a few problems.

From the kick off we pressed forward seeking out our 1st try. It was taken up by the backs and then some good mauling/rucking by the forwards. Rob Moore slipped through the Warriors line as if he was covered in Vaseline to score the 1st try after only a couple of mins played.
The next try was something similar. After the coach having a hissy fit on the sideline about kicking away the ball back to the opposition we started running at them with Adam 'did he just wink at me?' Kavanagh breaking through in similar fashion to Rob to score his 1st try of the 4 he scored.
A couple of great penalties were kicked by Eoin 'The Crab' Gantly (one from the half way line, which didn't at all suprise the fans who know of his "great" kicking ability). Pity he was not playing for Ireland later on that evening.
Another try by Kav before half time made the game out of reach for the warriors.

A couple of changes at half time gave the B's a spring in their step and more tries followed.
After some great running by Paul 'Yes I have eaten' Harvey and a well executed pop to Paddy 'faster than his brother' Malone gave the B's another try.
The drop goal conversion by Paul Harvey was just wide. Drop goal!!!
Another line break by Kav gave him try no 3 that was converted by (somewhat unorthodox style) Michael O'H.
Paddy Malone got his second after some good running by the backs, and then Conor G took advantage of a knock down from the warriors poor lineout to tare up the tram lines to score his 1st try and the B's number 7 of the day.
Taking the last try in to mind Lansdowne had their own lineout in the same position a few mins later and the call from Sub Big Chris Reid was Minisota ball with Kav taking a step out of the line. It was executed with precision and Mr Kavanagh scored his 4th try.
The conversion by Michael 'golf swing' O'Halloran hit the post (Gants would have never hit the post...it would have been far too wide...)
Final score 52-0 to Lansdowne.
Credit to the Warriors for not letting their heads drop as they kept on tackling (especially the backs).
Man of the match Adam Kavanagh took the Lansdowne hat to the jeers of his team mates.
We can take a lot from this game. Good defence but we still need to work on cleaning out the rucks for the game against Wesley this weekend.
Great support play by the forwards and good communication.

Man of the Match: Adam Kavanagh

written by Paul Smith

match photos taken by Tomas Keys

Team

1: Gabriel Portier 2: Robert Moore 3: Peter Geoghegan 4: Paul Harvey 5: Michael O'Halloran 6: Conor Gahan 7: Adam Kavanagh 8: Patrick Malone 9: Conor O'Sullivan 10: Matt Allen 11: Rory Gavin 12: Eoin Gantly 13: Oisin O'Cuinneagain 14: Jeff Iszeham 15: Keith Herman (c) Subs:Ross Bloomfield, Gearoid Carvill, Ronan Gibney, Chris Reid, Millan Alonso and Justin Comer.