Weekend reports

U20’s League

Bruff Vrs UCC

The U20’s were in action on Saturday at home to UCC. This was the first game in the second phase of the newly re-formed 20’s league. Phase 1 comprised of all of the North Munster teams as well as the Connaught teams with Bruff finishing 3^rd in the initial part of the league.

Phase 2 brings the top 5 teams together with the teams from the rest of Munster. This was the start of a run of 5 games for the 20s over 5 consecutive weeks.

Bruff started well and were in control for long periods of the game; however failure to convert changes coupled with a high penalty count against, cost Bruff dearly. Bruff made a number of line breaks in the first half through Eric Finn & Liam Treacy but these opportunities were to prove fruitless. The Bruff half backs of John Carew and Dave O Grady controlled territory well keeping Bruff in the UCC half, but too many small things going wrong lead to a 0-0 scoreline at half time. It was UCC who had the best chance of the opening 40 but failed to score knocking on just over the Bruff try line.

With the forwards well on top in open play the second half followed the same pattern as the first with Bruff in control everywhere except on the score board. The turning point in the game came shortly after half time when College intercepted a Bruff pass and scored a converted try under the Bruff posts. To their credit Bruff never gave up and put huge pressure on the College line for most of the second half. Shane Doona was unlucky to be stopped short after a great 50m run with a number of other Bruff players going close to scoring from a series of pick and drives. UCC have always had a great pedigree at U20’s level and they again proved how resilient they can be by holding Bruff scoreless for the full 80 minutes winning out on a scoreline of 0-7..

Bruff don’t have time to dwell on this lose and will hopefully learn some lessons from this outing. They travel to Clonakilty next weekend to take on a combined Clonakilty/Kinsale.

Underage Rugby

The u18’s travelled to Waterpark on Sunday to play round 2 of the Pan Munster league. Waterpark like Bruff have a good tradition in this competition having also won the title in recent years.  Bruff trailed 7-0 at half time with the home side scoring a converted try early in the first half.

Bruff came out all guns blazing in the second half scoring 10 points in the opening 20 minutes. The first Bruff score came from the back off a good Bruff Maul. Hooker Tom Quigley controlled the ball well at the back and touched down for the 5 pointer. Kevin McManus hit the conversion before Cian Clifford added a spectacular drop goal shortly after. With the score now 10-7 to Bruff, Waterpark enjoyed a spell of good pressure and were rewarded with another converted try with only minutes remaining to make it 14-10.

Bruff attacked in waves and were unlucky not to be awarded what would have being the winning score right at the death. Bantry Bay are the visitors to Bruff next weekend in a must win game if Bruff are to get out of the group.

The u16’s had a big win over Waterford City on Sunday morning and travel to Musgrave Park next weekend for game 2 of the Pan Munster league. A bus will be running from Bruff on the morning of the game. Please contact any of the coaches for details.

The U15’s beat Shannon 15pts to 10 on Sunday in the semi-final of the League. Bruff started well and had the Shannon pack on the back foot early on. After a spell of Bruff pressure Ethan Butler crossed the line for our first score .Adam O Dwyer converted to leave Bruff 7pts up after 10 mins. Shannon came back into the game and from a lucky bounce there winger caught the ball and scored in the corner. Bruff restarted and pressed Shannon again where Pa Maher picked a ball from the back of a ruck and crossed for our 2nd try. The conversion was missed leaving the score 12pts to 5 .Shannon got there 2nd try just approaching half time , score at the break was 12pts to 10. Both teams came out for the second half with it all to play for and with both sides playing good rugby it was anyone’s game. Mid-way through the second half with Bruff on the attack we were awarded a penalty in the Shannon 22 . Up stepped Adam O Dwyer and  slotted it between the posts to put 5pts between the sides. This was to be Bruffs last score of the game. For the rest of the game Shannon went looking for scores but for some brilliant defending from everyone on the Bruff team Bruff  held out in a nail biting finish for a well-earned and hard fought win .Bruff now go on to play Ennis in the league final , well done boys.

The u13’s had a good win away to Shannon on Sunday coming away with a 19-5 victory.

Ladies Rugby

Richmond Rabbits vs Bruff RFC women on Sunday 8/2/15
The ladies played a training game on Sunday Vrs Richmond in the Canal bank. It was a good outing for the ladies scoring 3 tries from Eileen O Gorman with Catherine Quinn kicking a conversion.
Next match to be confirmed as St Mary’s cannot play next week Sunday.
This week we are going back to Tuesday training specifically for the rugby fitness at 20:00-21:00hr in Bruff’s Kilballyowen park and as always the rugby training on Friday from 20 to 21:30. If you want to give it a go, it’s not too late to join us at training and see if it appeals to you, a bit of rough and tough, with some extreme fashions faux (panda hats, lycra, socks that cannot be taken serious etc.).
And if you happen to be younger than 18, but over 10, why not join the girls at their training on Friday evening from 19:00 to 20:00hr (NB girls only!!)