Bruff U18’s faced a tough challenge on Sunday against an unbeaten Skibbereen in the pan Munster competition and the playing conditions were poor. Once again Bruff got off to a slow start and they were under pressure. Skibbereen won an early penalty, but kicked it wide. Great defending from the Bruff lads kept Skibbereen at bay. As the half progressed Bruff got into the game more, the game was scoreless at half time.
In the second half Bruff were more aggressive and kept Skibbereen in their own half, with Bruff eventually winning a penalty. Bruff kicked for the corner . The Bruff’ pack won the line out and drove over the line to score the first try. A missed conversion had the score at 5:0 to Bruff.
From the kick off Bruff began to apply more pressure. Skibbereen won a scrum on their own 5 metre line for a knock on. The ball squirted back out of the scrum Pa Lloyd was quick to react with a good tackle on the Skibbereen scrum half which allowed Pa Maher to collect the ball and score a second try. The conversion was missed and the score was 10:0 to Bruff.
Poor defending from the kick off by Bruff allowed Skibbereen to put pressure back on Bruff, Skibbereen managed to put a few phases together to score a try in the corner. A missed conversion had the score 10:5 to Bruff. Bruff continued to play and defend well, Fionn Flanagan intercepted a pass on the half way line, great hands between Fionn Flanagan, Jamie Carey and Adam O’Dwyer resulted in Adam O’Dwyer scoring the third try and securing victory against any late comeback from Skibbereen. The games ended Bruff 15 Skibbereen 5. Well done lads and best of luck against Dungarvan at home in Kilballyowen next Sunday 5th February.