Club Notes: Week Ending 19.02.2017

This week’s club notes come from Thurles and Waterford City.

Thurles RFC
Courtesy of Brian Scanlon

U16 – Thurles 27 Kanturk 15.

Thurles U16's had a long trip to Kanturk for their fourth game in the Pan Munster Plate. In perfect playing conditions Thurles found it hard to get into the game. The home side had the best of the opening exchanges. Poor Thurles back line defence saw Kanturk runners breaking through at will. Only some desperate last ditch Thurles defence prevented the home team taking the lead. This was a temporary reprieve as Kanturk managed,through poor defence from Thurles,to score the first try after 15 minutes. Thurles,to their credit, from the kick off got some field position in the Kanturk half. A penalty close to the Kanturk line led to Thurles first try from a quick tap by Sam Quinlan close in. Thurles took to the lead a few minutes later.

Thurles were turned over close to the Kanturk line. The home side kicked to clear but only found James Devaney at full back for Thurles. He countered and outflanked the home defence to score. 10 to 5 for Thurles. The home side responded well and managed to level before half time, Thurles centre Michael Ryan the second player in the bin for Thurles in the first half for tackle offences. The home side through some ill discipline lost a man to a red card just after the restart. It took some time for Thurles to assert this advantage.

Some positional changes with John McGrath coming into the centre to shore up the defence and the extra man meant Thurles got a foothold in the game. Thurles after some approach play by the pack and several players handling saw Owen Byrne cross for Thurles 3rd try to take a 15 to 10. Kanturk responded well and scored to draw the game from a quick tap close in. The decisive moment came when facing a three man overlap James Devaney managed a double tackle before Ben Taafe finished the move by tackling Kanturk to touch five metres out.

Thurles bounced back and through great attacking play by Michael Ryan they manufactured a great attacking position with a scrum in the middle on the twenty meter line. A training ground move with the back line lined up one side leaving Ed Connolly to draw the cover feeding James Devaney on a big blind side for his second five minutes from time. From the restart Thurles regathered and cleared well to touch. A crooked line out, one of many poor line outs resulted Ina Thurles scrum. Thurles attacked from deep moving the ball wide to Devaney. Who beat a number of would be tacklers to sprint from seventy metres to score under the posts to seal victory. A great away win for Thurles in a tight game despite some inaccurate line out work and poor tackling.

We move on to next Sunday where we will face Sunday's Well in a vital home game.

Waterford City RFC
Courtesy of Deirdre Barry

Presentation of jerseys

A massive thank you to former Waterford City player, and current Waterford All Ireland winning U21 hurling manager Sean Power and all at BSG Business Services Group for sponsoring our U-14 squad jerseys. A fantastic gesture from Sean and the company, thank you from all the squad and coaches #wearecity

Weekend Results
Munster Junior League – Waterford City v Thurles – match postponed due to a bereavement in the Thurles club, our condolences to the family.

U18's – Waterford City v Douglas/Carrigaline – match conceded by Douglas/Carrigaline

Minis Rugby
East Munster Blitz – in Kilbarry on Sunday Feb 19th against Clonmel and Carrick. Can all players be at the pitch for 10.15am and if parents could supply some refreshments please.
Upcoming events

• Blitz in Kilbarry on March 5th against Dungarvan
• Blitz in Dungarvan Sunday March 19th
• We are walking in the Waterford St Patrick's Day Parade again this year. We would love if you would walk with the club. Please give Isobel or Lillian your name if you are joining us.
• Day trip – On Thursday 20th April we are heading to Dublin to do the Aviva Stadium tour as well as a trip to Dublin Zoo. we will stop in Supermacs on the way home. The cost will be €;30 per child. Anyone who would like to go please give your name to Isobel or Lillian on Sunday morning – you have until the end of the month to decide. Under 6's must be accompanied by an adult.

Annual Club Dinner Dance
Dinner dance is on Saturday 22nd April in the Woodlands. Tickets will be on sale shortly. All are welcome.