RUGBY:A greasy pitch with a stiff wind blowing towards the Old Wesley end of the ground at Donnybrook yesterday meant this was destined to be a match of changing pressures. St Gerard's, with the gale in their faces in the first half, were first to realise the futility of kicking as CBC set about trying to put a score on the board that would not be matched in the second half.
As the match progressed that proved to be more difficult than they might have hoped, and CBC's opening 10 points were overhauled as the final endgame came down to a desperate backs-against-the-wall stand by them, one they heroically pulled off to go through to the final of the Vincent Murray Cup.
A deft kick from centre Neil Walsh into the right channel for the forceful full back John Glynn to chase down created CBC's first try on 15 minutes. The lineouts were treacherous for both sides due to the strength of the wind, but 10 minutes later CBC pulled off their second attacking move.
Originating on the right, where John Lynn used his pace to step up into the line and draw the extra player, CBC fed the ball left through Ken Casey and finally left wing Fergus Beirne, who still had a bit to do, found the line deep in the St Gerard's corner for 10-0.
It was late when St Gerard's first replied when their skilful outhalf Shane Canavan converted a penalty for offside in the final surge of the first half.
CBC should have expected to play the game in their own 22 after the turnaround and that's how it began, with Canavan launching high kicks and the deceptively quick and rangy St Gerard's full back Mark Campbell occasionally hitting the offensive line and creating havoc.
Canavan kicked St Gerard's to 10-6 before left wing William Roche finished off a recycled ball from the middle after Campbell surged into the CBC heartland on 58 minutes to give St Gerard's a 11-10 advantage.
At that point it looked good for the Bray side with CBC pinned in their own half. But not before a difficult penalty on the 22 converted by Lynn took the score to 13-11 and set up the thrilling finish in injury time.
Canavan just miskicked a drop-goal effort, and his side's attacking wave was stopped just inches short on two occasions. Fierce CBC defending and, finally, the whistle brought this uplifting game to a close.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 15 mins: J Lynn try, 5-0; 27 mins: F Beirne try, 10-0; 35 mins: S Canavan pen, 10-3. 49 mins: Cavavan pen, 10-6; 58 mins: W Roche try, 10-11; 60 mins: Lynn pen, 13-11.
CBC MONKSTOWN: J Lynn; K Casey, N Walsh, P Nolan, F Beirne; G Widger, D Walsh; R Wolfe, M Cooney, L Murray, N Staines, R Taafe (capt), C Mion, M Jenkinson, R Boucher. Replacements: D Simington for Casey 50 mins; S Verso for Boucher 70 mins.
ST GERARD'S BRAY: M Campbell; G Fahey, S Monaghan, M Horan, W Roche; S Canavan, A Scanlan (capt); T O'Kane, R Fullam, L Sinagoga, Z Desmond, E Brady, M Barton, A McGlinchey, K Durkan.
Referee: J Bolger (ARLB).
