Creggs U-18.5s secured a home league semi-final when they clinched top spot in the league after a 38-7 win over Connemara RFC in Creggs on Sunday afternoon.
This was a tighter affair than the scoreline suggests and Creggs had to work very hard against physical opposition. The forwards paved the way for this victory, working hard to break down a well-drilled Connemara outfit with Rian Biesty, Ronan Cahill, Melvin Conteh, Adam Finnerty and Brian Maloney prominent in the early stages. Creggs were in the ascendancy at set pieces and that paved the way for the backs to move the ball wide where they had the advantage over the visitors.
Creggs scored three first half tries through Melvin Conteh, Eoghan Coyle and Mairtin Quinn, two of which were converted by Shane Purcell. In the second half, an early Rian Biesty try was followed up by a try from Cian Gately and a penalty try, two of which were again converted by Shane Purcell.
Connemara, to their credit, never gave up and continued to use their size to break down the Creggs defense and eventually they got over for a score of their own, leaving the final score 38-7.
Creggs have a home semi-final guaranteed ahead of their game in hand against Galwegians RFC next Sunday. Galwegians themselves will be trying to finish in the top four.
U-15A League: Creggs 39 Carrick-on-Shannon 7. Creggs U-15s continued their current good form with a comprehensive victory over Carrick-on-Shannon under lights last Saturday night. Creggs had almost a full squad to call on for the first time this season and they scored seven tries in a comprehensive victory. Up front, Conor McNulty, Luke Divilly, Ben Finnerty, Jack Tucker, Lorcan Maher and Rory Callaghan were excellent with ball in hand and Ronan Lambe, Louis McCaffrey, Ethan Glennon and Adam Donnelly defended well and were making holes in the defence for the backs to exploit. Out wide, Mark Purcell and Cian Glennon directed things well at 9 and 10 while Brandon Kilcommons put in some excellent runs and tackles. Aaron Lyons scored three excellent tries while Tiernan O’Sullivan and Jack Crehan proved very effective.
U-13A League: Ballinasloe RFC 24 Creggs 7.
Creggs U-13s had their first outing after the Christmas break as they travelled to Ballinasloe last Saturday morning. The lads looked a bit rusty after the break and although only down 10-7 at half-time, they gave away two very easy scores in the second half to end up losing by 24-7 with Creggs score coming from Tadgh Lyons which was converted by Cormac Dolan. Up front, the Creggs forwards defended well through Michael McAteer, Thomas Tiernan, Ciaran Purcell, Edimar Fimho and Andriu Oates but they just didn’t have enough of the ball in this game to hurt the opposition. In the backs, Jack Fleming, Daniel Flynn and DJ Hession looked dangerous with ball in hand but too often they were on their own and turned over too often at crucial stages to put Ballinasloe under any sustained pressure.
MINI: Creggs Minis will train next Saturday in Creggs at 11 am.
YOUTH: Creggs U-14s and U-16s will travel to Galway this Saturday in their respective leagues. Creggs U-14s travel to play Corinthians while the U-16s will play Galwegians, times to be confirmed.
Creggs U-18.5s play the last of their league games at home to Galwegians next Sunday.
