Blackrock never in real trouble

EVEN in an awkward wind, the challenge was a lot easier for Blackrock than the scoring suggests. In fact with a little more care, the home side might have run up quite a points total at Stradbrook on Saturday.

Attacking skill and tactical awareness became crucial factors when the sides went in pursuit of decisive scores in the second half. And Blackrock had a clear advantage in both areas, largely through the influence of their captain and coach, Mike Brewer.

A recurrence of a right leg injury, sustained in the victory over Dungannon, forced the former All Black to depart the scene within a few minutes of the final whistile. As it happened, it left him ideally placed to welcome victorious colleagues into the dressing room.

"If we win all our remaining matches, we'll take the title," said the New Zealander with a broad grin. "Obviously that's a tough challenge, particularly when we have to play the top three teams. But it gives us a clear objective in every game."

A free flowing, open game wasn't advisable in a strong, diagonal wind. So it was that Blackrock settled for containment when facing the wind in the first and had reason to be satisfied with a deficit of only 6-9 at the interval.

In the process, they disrupted Crescent's favoured, rucking game by keeping the ball off the ground as much as possible. Blackrock's mauling was admirable, and when attacking opportunities arose there seemed no shortage of guile and incisiveness from centres David Lynagh and Michael Roche.

Lynagh had a splendid match, scoring 18 points. Thirteen of those were from shots at goal and, given the conditions, the place kicking from both teams was exemplar. Indeed the standard was set by Crescent out half Stephen Tuohy, who landed a 55 yard penalty, albeit with wind assistance, in the sixth minute.

Crescent battled well, particularly up front, but the disparity between the sides became especially marked during the decisive, third quarter. That was when Blackrock cut loose to score their two tries - and there could easily have been a third.

That was in the 55th minute when, in attempting to field a teasing, high ball, Crescent fullback Barry O'Neill dropped it just about a yard from his line. Roche and Lynagh were quickly up to challenge, but to his credit O'Neill recovered possession and the immediate danger was averted.

"Blackrock were a very well drilled side," said Crescent cap lain Liam Toland. "By comparison, we showed naivete, particularly in attack. But we have the skill to survive in Division One"

Perhaps. But at this stage they are clearly fighting the odds.