Scoring
No scoring
Game Photos
Photos by Jeff Dowling
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Game Report
Game Report by West Dublin Rhinos
The Rhinos hosted the Saints last Sunday for the second and final time of the 2010 IAFL regular season. Both teams’ defenses came out on top taking away a point each as the game ended a rare IAFL final score of 0-0.
Both sides put in outstanding defensive efforts to keep the opposing teams’ offense out for the entire game. The Rhinos’ linebackers gave DCU very little to cheer about as they put a stop to the run game and snuffed out any passes in the air. The Saints were dealt with a massive blow in the first quarter when star running back David McMahon was forced to leave the game early on picking up an injury while fighting for extra yardage.
Throughout the game the Rhinos’ D never looked under pressure, spectacular interceptions from John Keegan and Nick Newby slowed down the Saints offense while Barry Bolton picked one off and returned it into the Saints’ redzone, the Saints’ backup running back making the last ditch touchdown saving tackle.
Stephen Macken and his offence took over and methodically drove the ball deep into Saints territory only to be stopped on third down from a fine Saints defensive performance. Sean Power attempted a field goal which was blocked by the Saints who gathered the ball, and picked up some yards on the return, much to Power’s dismay. Only for a penalty dragging them back the Saints would have started their next drive in the Rhinos half of the impressively marked pitch.
The game remained a stalemate and the closest either side came to scoring was when the Saints’ discipline let them down and a number of consecutive penalties coupled with big runs from Power, and another big reception from Ross Carrick, gave the Rhinos from Castleknock prime field position. However, the Saints D stood strong and held out Macken and co, who got to the one yard line but couldn’t pick up that elusive final yard due to an untimely fumble.
This lead to the game ending in a 0-0 stalemate. While the scoreline suggests a boring game, many of the spectators were kept entertained by big play after big play by both teams defenses.
The Rhinos remain firmly in second place in the IAFL Central division with their next two games up against divisional opponent TCD who will be fighting with the Rhinos for the wildcard playoff position.