Table toppers Boyne, made the short journey to the J.J.McDowell Park in Sutton on Saturday last for this encounter with the north county Dublin side who are experienced AIL campaigners. Perhaps it was this experience that stood to them throughout this game. They got off to a flier when they scored a try, virtually from the kick off. Boyne failed to collect cleanly and knocked on from the attempted catch, advantage was allowed and the home side took the ball through midfield before releasing the ball to their backs. They completed the task by running it wide and scoring in the corner. This was a cracking start by Suttonians and really rocked the visitors. They failed to make the conversion. Suttonians forwards had a huge physical advantage over their opponents and this was the area that they decided to use to full extent. Boyne settled following this early setback and from a pressure situation virtually under their own posts with Suttonians attacking, they managed a turnover and turned defence into attack. Out half, Croke, moved the ball wide instead of seeking the sanctuary of the touchline. It reached the fleet footed centre, Bevan Duffy, who took off on a run which ended just short of the opposition try line. Winger, Adam Sherrard, trailed Duffy all the way and received a superb offload to cross for Boyne’s equalising score. Kerbey failed with the conversion from out wide. Signs were that this was going to be a rip roaring contest with both teams registering try’s within 10 minutes of the game starting. This score certainly indicated the attacking potency of the Boyne backs but this was nullified by the dominance of the home sides forwards. The No.8 for Suttonians, Dwane, was proving to be a right handful and his penetrating run led to Suttonians next score. He committed the Boyne defence and they were caught offside 25’ from goal. The Suttonians kicker made no mistake with the penalty on 19 mins and pushed his sides score out to 8pts. Shortly after this another Suttonian attack brought them into the Boyne danger area. This resulted from a kick in the corner that saw a race ensue between the wingers. The Suttonians winger stayed upright and was heading for the corner with a try looking ominous when the touch judge intervened. Boyne were awarded a penalty for a push off the ball on winger Sherrard and were relieved to take the clearance kick to touch. In another scintillating run and marvellous inter play by the Duffy brothers, Bevan and Eoghan, play was brought deep into the Suttonians 22’. The previous good work was blighted by the concession of a penalty for not releasing. Mistakes and lack of cohesion were creeping into Boyne’s play. Passes were erratic and platform ball was scarce for a potent backline. Lineouts were going awry and their set scrum was under pressure.
Boyne did vary their game with kicks by McGrath and Croke into area’s behind the home forwards in a ploy to move the ball away from Suttonians forwards. The home side were also having an indifferent day with their place kicking and missed three efforts out of four, that would be regarded as kickable. Conditions deteriorated as the match progressed with rain falling and making the ball greasy. The home side were not deterred and another try resulted from a lineout on the halfway line to Boyne. Suttonians won the throw-in and again they set up the attack driving through midfield. They released their backs and the ball went out to their winger who transferred the ball back inside to his centre who scored. They failed with the conversion. This score put an eleven point gap between the teams and it was a matter of whether Suttonians were hoping for a bonus point win with 25 mins of the game remaining. Boyne were not prepared to throw in the towel however, and the spirit that pulled previous games out of the fire raised itself again with a strong finish from the visitors. Another marvellous try from centre Bevan Duffy, initiated by full back Kerbey, brought them right back into the game. Kerbey failed narrowly with the conversion from out wide. From a side that were in control in the earlier stages of the match, Suttonians were now vulnerable. They did have their chances and a forward pass and knock-on probably deprived them of increasing their lead. Boyne took play into the Suttonians 22’ and went through several phases before the home side were penalised for offside in front of the posts. Boyne decided to take the points and Kerbey tapped over to leave three points between the teams. Try as they might in the final minutes, Boyne failed to emulate previous feats of snatching a win and had to settle for a bonus point losing on the score 16pts to 13pts.
The newcomers to AIL rugby are learning that this is a tough league and the intensity and frequency of games demands a big squad of players to complement injuries and unavailability of players. Boyne are experiencing this at the moment and have several players on the treatment bench. Eoin Collins was making his return following injury in this game but still missing are the likes of Ciaran Smith, Brendan Muldowney and Conor Casey. The team performed admirably in this match on all fronts with Bevan Duffy the outstanding player on the park. The half back pairing, McGrath and Croke had their toughest game to date and had to deal with a formidable Suttonians back row. The return to form of centre, Harry Kennedy, as well as the heartening displays of youngsters, George Cooney and Eoghan Duffy and the introduction of Glen Malone are all positive steps for the Boynesiders. Their front row may prepare themselves for similar battles throughout this league and this encounter is a benchmark of what to expect during the campaign. Paddy Muldowney at 2nd row, measures up to the physicality required in this league and rarely shirks his responsibilities.
Boyne XV & Repls: John Kinsella (Captain), George Cooney, James McKevitt; Paddy Muldowney, Richard Shuttleworth inj,(Ian O‘Reilly 73rd min); Conor Walsh, Ian O’Reilly (Glen Malone 57th min), Eoin Collins; Craig McGrath, Bryan Croke; Adam Sherrard (Brian Howell 57th min), Harry Kennedy, Bevan Duffy, Eoghan Duffy; Niall Kerbey. Not used, Paddy Shuttleworth, Sean Rooney.