Misery for Greystones

St Mary's College 13 Greystones 9

Greystones lost a match they should really have won at Templeville Road as St. Mary's College took the spoils.

'Stones had the better of possession and territory but a lack of firepower and two late sin-binnings for hooker Alex O'Sullivan and flanker Fraser Clifford caused them dearly.

Mary's full-back Robert Gannon touched down early after gathering a Matthew D’Arcy kick.

Three penalties from out-half James Power reduced the arrears for Greystones to 10-9 at half-time but a late drop goal from his opposite number Frank Lynch saw Mary's triumph.

‘Stones, who have slipped to bottom spot on foot of this defeat, will be kicking themselves as they had the winning of this game. They did have their grips with referee Paul Haycock but they only have themselves to blame for missing out on back-to-back wins.

Mary’s started like a steam train, scoring 10 points in the opening six minutes.

Prop Robert Sweeney made a burst forward and when the ball was recycled scrum half D’Arcy kicked through for Gannon to race up, gather the ball and step his way over the line.

Out-half Lynch converted and added a penalty for a sudden 10-0 buffer and the Dubliners looked set for a good day at the office.

However, with the rain beginning to fall and dropped passes blighted the home side’s play, Greystones got themselves back in touch.

Power kicked two penalties and with his side establishing dominance in the scrum and lineout, a third successful kick followed to make it a one-point game just before half-time.

‘Stones laid siege to the Mary’s try-line in the second half but try as they might, Mary’s were not budging.

The home side continued to cling on to their slender lead and even shunned a couple of penalty kicks close to the posts in favour of kicking for touch and keeping ‘Stones pinned back in their 22.

They did succeed in frustrating the life out of last season’s Division Two play-off champions and Lynch angled over an injury-time drop goal to put the seal on his side’s third win in four home games this term.

Scorers:

St. Mary's College: Try: Robert Gannon; Con: Frank Lynch; Pen: Frank Lynch; Drop: Frank Lynch

Greystones: Pens: James Power 3.