Weekly Roundup

***Weekend Round Up(9th-15th Jan 2017)***

-U8's:
8s played Suttonians away. 40 kids played them in 4 matches. Great skills on show from passing to tackling to try scoring.

-U10's:
The Malahide U10 squad made the trip to Navan RFC for our first game of 2017. Having already completed three training sessions post Christmas we were now itching to get back into competitive action. We arrived in Navan 30 minutes ahead of kick off to ensure we had a proper warm-up and to shake off the effects of the nice warm car journey before taking to the field.

Despite the warm-up we were a little slow to get going in game one although at least one Malahide team ran a try in from the opening KO. Navan also really came to life for the second and third games with both teams playing a great blend of running and rucking rugby with plenty of strong tackles in the mix. We put our fast starts into practice by taking the ball at pace on our restart and putting pressure on Navan the moment they passed the ball on their restart.

The spirit in which the game was played is epitomised in a joint dab at the end of the fixture (see picture).

Although we know we have some things to work on ahead of our home game against Seapoint in two weeks time, it was great to get back into action.

-U12's:
U12's had 3 teams out at home against Clontarf
Some fantastic rugby played by both sides, attacking well, spreading the ball wide at every opportunity and great offloading
Malahide coming out on top with 5 wins

-U13's:
Under 13s played away in Lansdowne this morning. 
Malahide battle all the way and the game was very close. 10 v 12 at half time. Lansdowne with a bit more aggressivity in the second half manage to take over and score two tries to win the game.

-U15's:
U15's played at home against Seapoint. Seapoint started well with a converted try in the first few minutes. Malahide trailed 3 points behind for the majority of the game only taking the lead with 6 mins to go. They held off Seapoint in the final few with a result of 28-24 at full time. Both teams well matched.

-U18's:
Once upon a time there was a club in the north county of Dublin, set in a beautiful village with every sport under the sun to choose from. Most of the boys in the village played football, gaa and rugby. Some of the girls also played the three sports. Everything was going fine until a point in time when all three sports decided to play on a Sunday. At this point the youth of this village had to choose which sport to play. Some were wise and chose to play rugby, others were foolish and chose football.
Some of the children from the village went to the local school with its excellent academic record. Other children went to fee paying schools to chance their arm at rugby and still be academic. Unfortunately the controlling body of rugby made a ridiculous rule up, were by clubs couldn't play, fee paying rugby school players, this resulted in small clubs in the north county unable to field competitive sides at certain age groups. This became a serious problem for the clubs who had ambitions of making it into the senior section of the game. Even with clubs pleading to the powers that be, they wouldn't budge, blinded by and sucking up to these fee paying schools instead of looking after the ground roots of rugby!

The U18s of the village went to Greystones/Wicklow vikings for a match, their coaches did everything within their powers to try and get enough players for the match. Eventually managing to raise a grand total of 15 players. Off they went on a journey around the motorway/car park better known as the M50. After 50 minutes on a Sunday morning they arrived at Greystones rfc. KO was at 11:15.
So play started a fumble on their line and Greystones took full advantage 7-0 and the village lost their scrumhalf to injury. 25 minutes in and they lost their tight head.14-0 down. 13 men on the field, half time 26-0 not bad for 13vs15. Second half begins and they lose their outside half.
Game finished at this point as it was becoming dangerous. 
Time called,off home around the M50 and a rethink to what can be done in the village!!

-3rds:
Difficult day at the office for the Thirsty Thirds as they deal with a number of injuries to key players. A bad start cost them badly with Clondalkin running up a 20 points to 5 lead. The team got some continuity back in the second half to score three tries of their own but the home side were too strong on the day reasserting themselves to run out 42-25 winners. Next up away to BGF Ravens.

-2nds:
The 2nd XV recorded a determined 41-25 win over a well organised Dundalk team. There were a number of personnel changes to the team prior to kick off, however the strength of the squad showed with a composed and patient performance. The teams were fairly evenly matched going into half time, a brace of early tries in the second half gave Malahide a comfortable lead which Dundalk couldn't overcome despite 2 late tries putting a gloss on the score board. Sean Power and Rocco Mulvey lead the way in the pack with Dan Hayes and Donal Muirray making gains out wide. 9 points clear at the top of the league, a win in Kilkenny this weekend will see the 2nd XV confirmed as league champions.

-1st's:
Malahide’s Leinster League run continued with a home fixture against Dundalk on Saturday. The New Year has certainly seen the side regain some momentum after the pre Christmas defeat to DLSP and Saturday saw the team continue in the same form running out 70-12 winners with tries from John Shine, Hugo Nolan, Ciaran Clifford, Dave Mongan, Gary Robb and Daragh Sweeney. The victory sees the team remain 4 points clear of Enniscorthy at the top of the table with another big test looming next Saturday in an away trip to Kilkenny. Kick off is 2.30 and any support would be welcome in a venue where it is always tricky to pick up a win.