Day2 arrived. Many of the coaches were a lot slower this morning – must have been something to do with dodgy water the night before! Breakfast came and went and we all climbed onto the buses and headed to Seapoint RFC. Again, only a brief 10 minutes away and we disembarked in the sunshine. The P5s were playing first and so 6s and 7s watched the matches unfold.
P5 Seapoint have 60 children at under 10 and are the current Leinster under 10 champions. County players were on the back foot again at the start of the games but both sides stuck in and tackled well. The P5’s started to take the ball back to Seapoint and scored 2 to 3 tries over the two games. All the players knew they had a chance to win and kept Seapoint at bay with ferocious tackling and driving from our own lines. With both County teams coming out narrow losers.
The coaches saw a marked change from day one of tour with committed tackling and overall improvement in rucking, but especially players supporting each other as a team.
All the lads should be very proud of themselves with 2 good days of rugby with both opposition clubs commenting on their excellent behaviour and their fantastic team spirit.
P6 Castle started first and Seapoint put several quick tries in from their speedy winger. We recovered our composure and started to control the game. The rucking was paying off and a quick try on the blindside put us 2-1 up. Seapoint were a strong opposition and had the tactical advantage – better knowledge in how to play the maul situations. We continued though, to dominate and the coaches were jumping up and down on the touchline expecting our first victory. The ref played on (and on and on) and then strangely Seapoint scored and the final whistle went. A draw 5-5. Monument were immediately behind from some shocking tackling (or lack of). The second half heralded a change in play by County and the rucking started to pay off. Some real driving led to County having more possession, but were unable to capitalise on this. The final score was 8-2 to Seapoint. Castle went back on fought well. A tough game ensued with a reasonable draw. Monument struggled against Seapoint but had moments of brilliance with the final score being 5-3 to the hosts.
After a good team discussion about what was required to beat the Irish style of game the P7s arrived a Seapoint in positive mood. The boys were definitely happier when the saw that the size of the opposition was less daunting than the previous day.
Monument started very well and kept their shape for the whole of the first half and managed to improve their tackling so only went in 2-1 down at half time. The second half saw them battling uphill and into increasing wind. The tackling level dropped and Seapoint ran away with the game. Ending 8 -2 winners.
Castle started very slowly and were 6-0 down in the first half due to again poor tackling and some poor decision making.
The second half saw Castle change gear, they cut out the errors and stared to tackle. They managed to draw the second half 3 -3 this unfortunately still left Seapoint as clear winners.
We played a final game of a mixed Castle and Monument team and Eddie gave his “this is your Everest” team talk Stolen from Telfer.
The team responded and tackled like demons kept the ball alive and out played the Seapoint team completely.
The defense was awe inspiring which created loads of turnover ball which was then moved across and down the pitch at speed. At half time we were up 6-0 and Seapoint were getting frustrated, but the boys kept their discipline and even though they were going uphill against the wind they managed to score another 4 tries in the second half. Again the commitment to the tackle and ruck meant we only lost 1 try in this match. The rugby was beautiful to watch and all the spectators Irish and Scottish were clearly impressed. Well done to the boys who put their all into this match.
