Dublin Rebels 16-0 Belfast Trojans

Malone Road Rugby Club, Belfast.

The Dublin Rebels overturned last season’s defeat to the Trojans with a gritty and determined performance on both sides of the line of scrimmage in a hard fought and very close victory. Before kick-off, right on cue, the Belfast sunshine gave way to pellet sized hailstones and lightning, so the game was delayed some twenty minutes. The first half was very tight, with both defenses playing very well. The hitting was hard and there were some fantastic form tackles on show, not least from the Trojans’ cornerbacks, who made some key stops. The first half was also marked by the quality kicking of both punters and it was a cagey game of field position.

Both teams turned the ball over through fumbles. Trojans #8 had two interceptions of Rebels’ QB Dennehy, one in either half and Rebels’ DB David McKeating picked Trojans’ QB xx to win the ball back just before the half. The Rebels Offence was stifled, largely through a combination of an aggressive Trojans defense and penalties. The half ended scoreless.
Into the second half, the Rebels got the ball moving with a lot more intensity and cohesion, not least due to the improved team effort of the experienced Offensive line which opened up holes and lanes for the power running of Sam Hodgins. The first score of the game came when, after a good drive got the Rebels to the Trojans’ 6 yd line, QB Dennehy hit a wide open WR Barry Flinn for the touchdown. Hodgins ran in the 2xpt behind a great surge by the Offensive Line.

The Trojans found it very difficult to move the ball against a terrific Rebels’ defense, particularly up the middle, where interior linemen Conor Walsh and Steve Wilson had outstanding displays. Indeed, defensive captain Ross McCooey marshaled his troops very well and the entire defensive unit continued to stifle the Trojans’ attack, with some awesome hits going in, not least from MLB Paul Weldon. There was continued frustration for both teams as the game of chess for field position continued, but the Rebels just edged it in terms of momentum. Penalties began to hurt the Trojans. When the Dublin team got the ball on their own 12 yard line, after another great punt by the Trojans punter, they started a great drive to march downfield. A combination of penalties and more great power running by RB Hodgins resulted in a 20 yd run for the second score. Hodgins converted his touchdown for the 2xpt.

The Trojans then stepped up a gear and had a huge play for 30 yards which would have gone all the way for a TD, but for a super score saving tackle by Rebels’ safety Marcus Naylor on the Trojans’ fullback. Indeed the Rebels defense had to stay the course with two great defensive stands to thwart good drives by the improved Trojans offence. When Rebels DT Wilson recovered a fumble with a minute left on the clock, the Rebels Offence could kneel out the clock. This was a very tough and close game throughout; a classic game of physical chess played by two very talented teams. Indeed, for the Rebels at least, what stood out was the quality of the performance as a team unit.

By Mick Finucane (Rebels #78)