Scoring
Q2
6-0 Cowboys: #2, reception from Michael McGregor. PAT blocked.
6-6 Rhinos: Sean Power, run. PAT no good.
6-12 Rhinos: Sean Power, run. PAT wide.
Q4
6-18 Rhinos: Sean Power, run. PAT no good.
Game Photos
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Game Report
Game Report by the West Dublin Rhinos
The Rhinos turned up to Castleknock on a glorious Sunday morning ready for action, and it was action they found from the opening whistle all the way to the closing seconds of the game. A battle of two well matched teams played out before a large crowd who were treated to some hard, clean football all game long.
The Rhinos opened the game meaningfully, driving the ball through the air and on the ground into the Cowboys redzone only to be halted by a Cowboys interception on an unfortunately tipped pass. The first quarter was a tight, defensive affair with neither team willing to give up a score. Injured in the process and taken to hospital was Rhinos running back Dan Breslin #23 who had started the game with a spectacular catch (above). The Cowboys were first to break the deadlock, scoring a touchdown pass on a short reception to their tight end. 6-0 Cowboys.
The Rhinos were fired up now and immediately answered back. Veteran Sean Power #15 stepped in at running back and would not be stopped as he powered his way almost half the pitch to score the above touchdown, though the extra point was no good the score was tied now at 6-6. It was not long again before Power #15 made it into the endzone, a fumble recovered by Barry Bolton #69 on a backwards pass by the Cowboys QB was taken advantage of as the Rhinos managed to plunge the ball into the endzone once more to put the Rhinos ahead 12-6 going into the half.
The Rhinos defense clamped down in the second half, shutting down the Cowboys almost every drive and forcing turnovers at the right times. The third quarter was all defense for both teams, the weather clearly taking its toll on both sides as they struggled to get and keep fluids in.
It was not until the 4th quarter after both teams had gone back and forward with the ball before Sean Power once again put in extra effort and stretched the ball across the goal line after a brave attempt to stop it from the Cowboys. The Rhinos defense once again took over charged with holding on to the lead to haul in the Rhinos first victory of the season. And did they ever, recording a number of sacks on the Cowboys quarterback including one by Oisin Russell-Conway #34 that forced the ball out of his hands only to be recovered by Bolton #69. The Rhinos wasted no more time, kneeling out the clock for their first win of 2010.
Though a team effort, quarterback Steven Macken #8 and Ross Carrick #80 both had stand out games, coming up big when needed and keeping the ball alive. #4 David O’Connor had a big game on defense as did the everlasting MLB Nick Newby #45 who was welcomed back after injury.