Westport prevail in Mayo rugby derby in windy conditions against Castlebar

THE rugby season for both Mayo teams started with a derby clash on Saturday evening. Autumn has announced itself, as the wet and windy conditions affected the play causing handling errors and diverting the ball in flight to all sorts of places.

It was a match for the forwards and not for free-flowing rugby as the low score-line shows. Castlebar gave debuts to eight young players six of them still 18 years old. Westport had a more settled side having been rebuilding for the last two seasons.

It was an emotional return for Westport's Kevin Gill, who returned from two serious injuries and a two-year-wait. Another positive for the hosts was Sean Staunton. The prop played his first competitive match and produced a man-of-the-match performance.

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Castlebar started well with the wind and pinned the hosts back in their own half for much of the first quarter. Stevie Rogan gave the visitors the lead with a well struck penalty after 5 minutes.

The visitors chose to run subsequent penalties with two of them being very kickable. Stout defending by the Bulls and handling errors meant there was no reward for the effort expended.

In the second quarter Westport came to life and posed a greater threat in the Castlebar half. Stephen Loftus equalised with a fine kick from outside the 22 and was unlucky with a subsequent effort which hit the post, which meant both teams were tied at half-time Castlebar 3 Westport 3.

Westport started the second half with much more purpose and after five minutes of pressure won a penalty which Loftus converted to give Westport the lead for the first time. 

They continued their efforts, but Castlebar held them up near the line for long periods. A Westport scrum on the 5m line gave their No.8 Kevin Corcoran the opening and he scored the game's first try. Peter McNally added the conversion.

Castlebar responded well and in the third quarter after sustained pressure and excellent play near the Westport line Bryn Graham was released to go over near the touch line for try, that was left unconverted.

The young Castlebar team kept up their efforts but failed to add the points. Westport had excellent performers in Sean Staunton, Brendan McLoughlin, Kevin Hastings and Stephen Loftus.

Castlebar were well served by Sean O’Grady, Bryn Graham, Richard Sweeney and Excel Anslem.

Westport now play Creggs in the semi final of the Cawley Cup while Castlebar play Ballinasloe in the Plate semi final.

A good win for Westport in the hunt for silverware and to build some momentum ahead of the league campaign.

The Bulls advance to the Cawley Cup semi-final facing Creggs this Sunday which will pose a stern challenge. Castlebar move to the Plate competition's semi-final against Ballinasloe. Bot matches to be played this Sunday.

CASTLEBAR
L Molloy, L Hegarty, C Jackson, E Anslem, D Flynn, R Sweeney, B Graham, A Wootton, C McInerney, S O'Grady, M Flannelly, C Byrnes, L Staunton, C O'Neill, S Rogan.
Replacements: S Tonra, D O'Donnell, I Evans, A Murphy, D McHale, O Bourke, C Fahey, O Moran.

WESTPORT
S Staunton, R Bourke, B McLoughlin, Pa Cafferkey, D O'Connor, K Gill, K Hastings, K Corcoran, A O'Malley, S Loftus, P McNally, H Sheridan, A Sheridan, R Spellman.
Replacements: Z Zeray, A Heraty, C Gavin, A McGoldrick, J Cleary, S Walsh, A Walsh .

Referee: S Daly

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