Blackrock pull away in final quarter

BLACKROCK captain Mike Brewer was last into the changing rooms on Saturday at a well attended Stradbrook. Cleaning the specks of blood and other bodily debris from around his ears and face before heading into the sharp breeze of an Irish squad session in Limerick, Brewer radiated the satisfaction of a man who was at least enjoying these moments.

"Tough game," chirped the Kiwi. "I've so many tack marks down my body, it feels just like home."

A free for all punch up in the dying minutes involving most of the players on the pitch and one enthusiastic spectator, who would certainly have come out the worst of it had he not been intercepted by an official, might have been the first issue of debate in the club house. But this AIL game against Young Munster was tough, not cynical, although the Scottish referee Chuck Muir could legitimately have embarked on some chucking as it was almost a minute before the punches finally subsided.

Blackrock could smile all the more from their victory, which was earned by playing high tempo expansive rugby from the back along with committed and well organised front row play that ultimately had Young Munster reeling for most of the second half.

Capitalising on a drop in pace from the visitors from the 63rd minute onwards, Blackrock moved impressively from a 14-14 scoreline to 32-14 in just 17 minutes as the dynamic Nicky Assaf and fullback Emmett Farrell ran in trys tries with Alan McGowan assuredly converting both as well as adding two penalties.

"Their intensity dropped a fair bit compared to the first half which was superb," said Brewer. "We took them on running and kept it on the short side - where two of our tries came from. I think a bit more organisation along with some old fashioned guts and commitment to take on the opposition instead of waiting to see what they're going to do with the ball paid off." "Young Munster opened the match in an upbeat and commanding vein and before two minutes had passed, Des Clohessy had, gone over for his side's first score. Four minutes later Blackrock left wing Aidan Guinan broke swiftly down the line before chipping ahead for Alan McGowan to pick up for the try, then bounce the conversion onto the crossbar to give his side a 7.5 lead.

The first of Aidan O'Halloran's three drop goals then swung the game in Young Munster's favour going into half time. He added another pressurised drop goal from 35 yards two minutes after the break to give them an 11-7 lead.

But Blackrock then went into full spate. Mick O'Neil, festooned with Young Munster players, was brought down just short of the line and when the ball was recycled three or four times along the line, centre Rory Kearns finally punched through just to the right of the posts with McGowan converting.

At 14-11 the excellent O'Halloran again entered the equation adding another drop goal to draw level, but at that stage his team had climbed to their summit and were visibly lagging. Blackrock sensed it and with Hubie Kos and O'Neil dominating the lineouts, the constant flow of home ball took Blackrock to 32-14 before Derek Tobin went over with O'Halloran converting to put a better veneer on the final scoreline.

Young Munster are now out of contention with three defeats behind them and Blackrock well placed to build on a very positive performance.