Carrick overcome Claremorris and the elements
GOOD TIMES: The Carrick Minis and their coaches that hosted a blitz in Castlecara on Saturday last.
Carrick’s U-13 boys hosted Claremorris on Saturday last in torrential rain and gale force winds.
The weather dictated that this contest was going to be about tactical awareness and game management. Having won the toss and electing to play with the wind in the first half, Carrick played a brilliant tactical game by turning their opposition around with long kicks towards the corner flag.
Forcing their opposition to play from within their own ‘22, solid defence and pressure gave Carrick plenty of turnover ball and scrums from which they were able to cross over the line on five occasions. Brilliant goal kicking added eight points to Carrick’s half-time advantage of 33-0.
Learning from their only defeat this season two weeks ago, controlling the ball and managing the game in the second half, especially when playing against a gale force wind, was going to be vital for Carrick to maintain their lead. Carrick’s forwards continued to dominate the scrums and kept the ball amongst them for the greater part of the second half, but a few individual breaks by Carrick players procured two further tries, one of which was converted.
With the little possession they had, Claremorris took advantage of the wind and, with great effort and pressure on Carrick’s back three, managed to get turnover ball and deservedly crossed over the line twice in the last passages of the game — the last of the two tries being a well-worked converted try by Claremorris after the ball was shifted through the hands.
The game was played with great spirit and discipline by both teams.
Carrick’s U-13’s are travelling to Corrib next Sunday for their final league game before the Christmas break.
Carrick-on-Shannon RFC Minis hosted their first home blitz of the season last Saturday, welcoming neighbours Sligo to the club’s recently upgraded facilities at Castlecara.
Over 150 kids from Carrick and Sligo took to the pitch in a very enjoyable morning of games, which were played in the spirit of rugby.
The blitz was followed by fantastic refreshments served by the club’s wonderful team of parents. Many thanks to all the volunteers, coaches and kids that helped make this a very memorable morning. The future is bright for the Carrick-on-Shannon RFC Minis.
