Charleville & District RFC V Newcastlewest RFC

Match Report – 28/01/24

Whilst there is still one match to play in the weather affected West Munster League, today was the start of a new competition for this group of players. This was an opportunity for a big reset, to start a competition on the right foot and build a platform to launch forward, develop, and show everyone what they can do.

The players have been going through focused training over the past two weeks, working on those tactics and parts of their game that play to their strengths. This is what they will need to put themselves in the mix at the business end of the BOI Plate competition.

No better time than to come out at home to kick us off in a local derby against near neighbours, Newcastlewest RFC, in front of family, friends, and vocal support for both teams.

With a stiff south westerly breeze across the pitch, Charleville kicked off into the wind and got stuck into what was to become one of the most competitive matches of the season so far.

Newcastlewest made their intentions clear from the off, as they looked to move the ball quickly to their very potent and direct carrying no. 12 to punch holes in Charleville’s defence. But today Charleville were not going onto this like cold sushi. Their proper contact warm-up stood to them. As the tackles went in, they competed at the breakdown and won a series of turnover penalties. This gave Charleville early possession dominance, which allowed them to impose their own pattern on the game and work their way up the pitch with phase play.

Having worked their way deep into the Newcastlewest 22 in the 5th minute, Charleville pressure forced a knock on and a scrum in a central position offered opportunities on both sides. Charleville scrum went back initially, but fast hands from Tom Mulcahy got the ball away to the on rushing backs. Ronan Hayes came in to collect on the next phase and was in at the corner for the opening score. 5-0.

As has been the pattern with many games this season, the next 10min period became a fiercely contested affair with neither side giving an inch. Newcastlewest stuck to their gameplan of getting the ball to their first centre, who seeing Charleville falling into a mini rugby trap of clumping up at the breakdown, used his electric pace to exploit the space out wide. Conor Quinn on the wing had his work cut out to contain the blast and put in two crucial tackles to deny certain tries on what would prove to be a player of the day performance.

Having stemmed the Newcastlewest onslaught, Charleville were reminded of their training and the importance of blitz defence around the breakdown to cut off supply to the Newcastlewest centre. Possession started to swing back more in Charleville’s favour, as they forced errors and worked their way back up the pitch. On 15mins Charleville made a series of strong and direct carries into the 22, with close support taking the ball in phase after phase and forcing Newcastlewest into a rearguard action. 5m out Krzystof Dasuzuta took the ball to continue the surge. Although stopped initially a metre short, he kept his feet and strained through the defenders to place the ball for a converted score by Pauric Crowley to make it 12-0.

Newcastlewest where unbowed and backed their play to get them into the match. Charleville continued to put their bodies on the line. However, they chose to kick out of their 22 when there was no obvious space behind Newcastle to put pressure on. With the Newcastlewest winger not tackled, he offloaded to their backline. Charleville out of position left space out on the left for Newcastlewest to score an unconverted try in the corner. The teams went into the break with Charleville up 12-5.

In the conditions, such a margin is nothing. Both teams knew that the first score in the 2nd half would be decisive. Charleville have lost focus at the start of second periods this season, but when dialed in at the start of matches, this often follows through at the start of the second period. So, it proved today, as Charleville boys picked up the successful patterns of the first period. They competed for everything, put serious pressure on in defence and kept carrying and offloaded their way up the pitch. This pressure led to a sequence of penalties deep in Newcastlewest 22, who threw everything at Charleville to keep them out. After a series of short carries and passes, with Charleville stopped short of the line on two occasions, the ball was moved to the right, found its way to Ted Eagan who finished an excellent dogged Charleville attack in the 2nd minute to extend the lead 17-5.

For the remainder of the 2nd period, Charleville had to dig deep to keep Newcastlewest at bay. Substitutions were necessary from both sides to relive players who put in massive shifts of commitment to their team.

Newcastlewest got their attack pods of three players off the breakdown going and held onto possession well. Charleville got sucked in closer and closer to the breakdown allowing Newcastlewest to again strike the outside space. Stand out tackles from Conor Quin and Muiris O’Riordan proved crucial to limiting Newcastlewest to one converted score from their efforts to end the 2nd Period with a 17-12 win for Charleville.

The final 17 minute period brought in all the players and position changes with everyone getting plenty of game time. Charleville started the period as strongly as the previous two with a series of carries and quick offloads down the left of the pitch. With the ball passed to Ronan Hayes 10m out from the line, he finished in the corner to put Charleville in front in the first minute. An excellent kick from wide out near the touchline converted the 7-0 lead.

Newcastlewest continued to compete and were determined to finish their morning positively. Charleville worked hard throughout, but Newcastlewest built momentum through the third period and in the later stages the pressure was rewarded with a converted score under the posts. In the dying moments of the period, Newcastlewest were awarded a penalty in the 22, which they kicked at goal to finish the period 7-11.

Charleville & District boys showed themselves that when they come into a match switched on and ready, they can mix it with anyone. It is a great start and a valuable one with what will be a step up in competition from across the province. But with the next match at home on weekend of 18th February, it is a great opportunity for the boys to build solid momentum. What’s more, with the level of commitment shown on the pitch, all who come to training and matches are going to get game time. Every member of the squad is needed!