Old Christians 30 Abbeyfeale 7

With both teams in the wrong half of the table, this was a vital game for us. We started well and a Conor Drummy break took us to the Abbeyfeale 5 metres, but a lack of patience caused us to concede a penalty and the chance was lost.

The visitors, aided by the biting wind, then made their way deep inside our 22. Conor Drummy ended the danger however, with a fine turnover.

On 15 minutes, we conceded the first score of the game. We had two attempted clearances blocked down, before the Limerick side scored far out.

A fine conversion saw us 7 points down.

We were however playing fairly well. We dominated the scrums, with James Clifford to the fore here and on twenty minutes, Conor Dolan opened our account with a good penalty kick.

Just after the half hour mark, Oscar Clark made his second great break of the half and this time Ryan O'Connell was on hand to touch down and Conor added the points.

We led by 10 points to 7 at the break, with the wind at our backs in the second half.

Unlike so many games in the past, this time we were prepared to use the wind a bit more.

Six minutes into the second half, Conor Dolan added another penalty to make it 13 points to 7.

ten minutes in the visitors looked like they were gaining momentum, before a crunching Craig O'Connell tackle put an end to that move.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Ryan O'Connell had his second try of the game and when Rob McKenna got over in the corner, pushing the score out to 23 points to 7 it was game over.

We kept going in search of the bonus point and it came just before the final whistle when Niall Mc Carthy broke from a ruck. It did not look like he would make the line, but in true Nibbler fashion, he handed off the last man and scored under the posts making it an easy converion for Laz.

A decent result on a cold day, but some hard games ahead.

Lán Chúl.

Some match pictures.

Early attack.

Tackled but plenty support arriving.

Surprised tail gunner wins the lineout.

Laz switch.

Another penalty won.

I know it's Movember John but......

Safely taken.

Conor scores.

Textbook take.

Ryan scores after Oscar's break.

Mark on the burst.

Another scrum penalty won.

Another one for the tail gunner.

Should have scored.

Rob, (well hidden) scores try number three.

Nibbler gets the bonus point try.