Mayo rugby clubs with mixed results in Connacht Junior Leagues

CASTLEBAR RFC

Not always is a simple win automatically a satisfying result. In the Junior 1A League, Castlebar may have done enough to beat NUIG 24-17, but the Mayo men will be disappointed not to have scored a fourth try, losing out on a bonus point against a team still looking for the first win of the season. 

The Galway men made a gallant effort to reverse their poor form so far in the league. They worked hard to impose themselves on a Castlebar team who were finding it hard to get going. The half time score was NUIG 10 Castlebar 14.

Castlebar started the second half with a lot more purpose than the first. They exerted pressure on NUIG in waves and forced a scrum under the posts. From here and with wonderful link play James Balaski was set free on the wing to go over in the corner for an unconverted try. Castlebar kept at it and on 15 minutes Balaski was put in position again with a wonderful cross field kick from Luke Walmsley to go over in the corner. Walmsley was on hand to convert.

NUIG worked hard from there on and put Castlebar in all sorts of trouble. Castlebar however defended stoutly until the 66th minute when NUIG scored a converted try, cutting Castlebar's lead to 24-17. 

Castlebar worked hard to get the bonus point try, but NUIG defended stoutly and denied them. Next up for Castlebar is a home game against Creggs on Saturday November 30 at 7.30pm.

BALLINA RFC

The North Mayo men could not follow up their dominant start into their Junior 1A League campaign, after being relegated from the All-Ireland League last season. Ballina's start was bright with two wins, scoring 14 tries in total. This Sunday, away in Dunmore, Ballina only scored two unconverted tries and were kept to a 10-16 score line by the home side.

Ballina's tries arrived from Ronan Lawrence and Liam Jones while teenage forward Brian Donohoe was teh stand-out player for the Moysiders. The next opportunity for Ballina will be a home game against Creggs on November 23 at 7.30pm.

BALLINROBE RFC

A league lower in the Junior 1B League, Ballinrobe earned a hard fought 25-11 victory away against Creggs Seconds. The game was tit for tat until the last minutes. Ballinrobe scored two late tries to come away with the win. The first half was dominated by many penalties on both sides. Just on the stroke of half-time Ballinrobe's lock Liam Lynch scored a try. His second start for the seniors and his second try now. The scoreboard showed a 13-11 lead for Ballinrobe, when they had a player sent to the sin bin and defended the whole 10-minute-period brilliantly, held up a maul that was heading over the try line. A pivotal moment. Then with only five minutes left on the clock, Jarlath Mullin ran in on the wing and touched down the ball from under the posts. Shortly after Creggs were down to 14 men with a yellow card and Ballinrobe scored another try to finish the game in style. Ballinrobe have started the season with two wins and one defeat. They face Ballinasloe at home next, this Sunday at 2.30pm.

WESTPORT RFC

After a win over neighbours Ballinrobe to start the season in the Junior 1B League, Corinthians proved too strong for the Bulls. The Galway side scored seven tries in a 51-26 win. A very good Corinthians side fielded players with experience in the All-Ireland League. Westport could not get up to the pace of the game and Corinthians ran out easy winners. But Westport never gave up, kept going and scored four tries which secured a bonus point which might prove valuable eventually. Next Sunday Westport play Sligo at home at 2.30pm. A strong response especially in defence is needed from the Bulls, if they want to get back to winning ways.