Corrib spring a surprise

Corrib spring a surprise at home


DIVISION 1B
Corrib 13
Try: H Creaven
Conv: E Flynn
Pen: E Flynn (2)

Ballyhaunis 10
Try: M Smirnovas
Conv: G Patterson
Pen: G Patterson

Trevor Watson
Headford

A FAR from perfect, but extremely resilient performance saw the men from the banks of the Corrib grab the four points on offer on a cold and wet January Sunday in Headford.
Ballyhaunis did manage a losing bonus point, and in truth, played the better running rugby on the day, but Corrib’s kicking game, stout defence and experience proved crucial as they moved up to 23 points, six ahead of Dunmore and the dreaded drop zone.
The East Mayo side had only lost two games all season – both to runaway league leaders, Galwegians – and after the 49-3 hammering in Ballyhaunis back in October, the visitors looked favourites to take the spoils again on this occasion.
But Corrib never read that script!
For Ballyhaunis, powerhouse centre Mantas Smirnovas was inspirational, scoring the first try, making yards with ball in hand and putting in some destructive tackles.
Gary Patterson and JP Jeffries also looked very dangerous in that opening half, with the former attacking the line well in the out-half position – a feature which created the opening try for the visitors after just four minutes.
The Ballyhaunis scrum, which was completely dominant for the entire match, set up Patterson, who weaved his way through the defence, before off-loading brilliantly to number eight Aidan Healy. The powerful back-rower popped a pass to Smirnovas, and the centre crashed over under the posts, with Paterson adding the extras.
Corrib should have scored after 14 minutes, when John McHugh, who was sensational at the base of the scrum all day, picked and made ground before putting Rory Bane in the clear. The winger was over the line but somehow, inexplicably, knocked the ball on.
The home side sustained the pressure, though, and when Charlie O’Sullivan’s cross-field kick was collected by Hubert Creaven, the centre had an easy run in under the posts. Evan Flynn converted, making up for an earlier penalty miss, and the sides were level.
It took a while, but Corrib then realised one of their most potent weapons was Cormac Bane’s boot, and when they started to employ that, it was devastating.
If the visitors’ scrum was excellent, their lineout was the direct opposite, and Corrib snaffled more than one ball on the visitors’ throw.
On 20 minutes Corrib should have been in again when Ballyhaunis full back JP Jeffries had his kick blocked down.
Ronan Casey, O’Sullivan and Darragh Higgins did well to put Rory Bane through down the right, but the cover defence got to him just in time. Play was brought back for a Corrib penalty, though, and Flynn converted to give the home side a 10-7 interval lead.
Patterson and Flynn then traded three-pointers at the start of the second half but Flynn was to be off target with two further strikes. Despite a totally dominant scrum, the visitors never really looked like scoring after that as Corrib soaked up the pressure with Shane Fahy’s defence a notable factor. Hooker Martin Lee also carried exceptionally well in the second half when the pressure was on.
Galwegians are the next visitors to Headford so the games after that against Loughrea and Dunmore are simply ‘must’win’ matches. Ballyhaunis have a slightly easier run-in but will need to win all three as Buccaneers are hot on their tails for that second place spot behind ’Wegians.

Corrib
C Bane, R Bane, H Creaven, R Casey, S Fahy, C O’Sullivan, E Flynn K Reilly, M Lee, C Moylan, B Darcy, G Forde, J Gannon, D Higgins, J McHugh.
Replacements used: E Kenny, D Hannon

Ballyhaunis
JP Jeffries, D Murphy, S Shanaghey, M Smirnovas, D Byrne, G Patterson, K McDermott D Lilly, P Gallagher, G Delaney, M Macken, V Moran, C O’Hara, S McKay, A Healy.
Replacements used: S Jenkins, R Lilly.

Referee: S McElwee