Match Report: Mullingar V Ravens 17B Mullingar travelled to Birr for their first Match of the Season and it showed. While there was some great individual play by some of the players, the team needs some training time to get back together and start working more like a unit having only had 2 training sessions before this match v’s the oppositions 7 sessions. Ravens only had 14 player and Mullingar dropped numbers to match the 14 as is required at this early stage of games. Mullingar started the match with a Kick off straight into touch resulting in a Ravens Scrum on the halfway. Following some phases of play it was the first Line out for Mullingar. Claiming their own ball Mullingar moved the ball across the pitch. After some contested ball turnovers by Ravens, scrums to Mullingar, finally ending in a 5m penalty to Mullingar. Here again the difference in training sessions showed as Ravens managed to turn over the ball with some superb defending, and the resultant penalty allowed them to clear the ball down to the half way. Raven’s continued with their forwards play and worked the ball down the pitch and scored a try which was converted. Score 7-0 Following the restart Mullingar forced Ravens into touch. Line out to Mullingar well won with good calls leading to a lot of early jumping by Ravens. The ball was released out to the backs and a good run down the pitch led to a great individual try under the Sticks. This was easily converted. Score 7-7 Following the restart Ravens secured a line out in Mullingars 22. More forwards pick and carry by Ravens marched them up to the 5m line. Some good individual tacking by Mullingar halted Ravens at the line but again no one ready for the Jackle or there to contest the Ruck. Luckily Ravens No 9 put his heel in touch as he picked the ball from the Ruck giving Mullingar a lineout on their own 5m Line. It was only a temporary reprieve as after winning the line out and clearing their lines Ravens had to much time to come back into Mullingar’s 22. Following some phases of play Ravens secured a scrum in Mullingar’s 22. Ravens carried the ball down the narrow side, of the scrum, scoring a good try, which was not converted. Score 12 -14 From the restart, Mullingar won their own ball and carried into contact with Ravens. Some Ravens players arriving at the ruck going directly off their feed gave a penalty to Mullingar. Mullingar Kick for touch but this time loose the ball in the line out. Several phases ensue in the Ravens half. Finally a penalty awarded to Mullingar taken and passed through the hands resulted in Mullingar’s Second try which was also converted. Ravens restarted the game with a bobbling kick making it difficult for Mullingar to field it. Ravens regained possession and revert to forward up the middle and scored a nice try under the posts and converted just before half time. Score 19-14 Half time After the restart Raven switched tack and went for short lineouts, with ball now going to the front man. On the first occasion Mullingar were caught off guard and allowed Ravens up to 5m of the Mullingar line where Mullingar conceded a penalty. Ravens took the penalty quickly and caught Mullingar unawares and easily went over for another try, but were unable to convert it. Score 24-14 There followed a series of plays with possession changing from one side to the other. Both teams are struggling with the new High tackle rule which has come in over the summer. Any tackle above the line of the Sternum is now high and results in a penalty. Ravens once again visit the Mullingar in goal under the sticks and easily convert. Score 31-14 Again after the restart the possession swung between the two teams but again finally Ravens ended up with a Scrum close to the Mullingar Line. Ravens moved the ball forward always keeping it in possession and crashed over with some nice forwards work for another try and converted it also. Mullingar looked as if they had had enough at this stage with some of the team beginning to step back from Tackle. Score 38-14 However all was not lost and it was time for another push. A good restart resulted in Mullingar mauling the receiver into touch. Further play from the lineout results in a scrum to Mullingar. Despite being push backward in their later scrums again due to dropping forwards following Ravens injuries, Mullingar were still securing their own scrums. After being awarded a penalty Mullingar kick for the line and set up for a lineout 5m out. A well targeted throw and a Maul formed by Mullingar drives forward and across the Ravens line however the ball carrier gets held up to give Ravens a goal line drop out. Mullingar dig deep and find themselves down at the ravens line again and this time get over the goal line for a try, unfortunate not to be able to convert. Score 38-19 Ravens restart and bring the play down into the Mullingar 22. Mullingar were now wise to their short lineout tactics and when Ravens throw to the front the Mullingar pack were quickly on him and bundled him into touch. This signalled the end of the game. For 2 training sessions Mullingar played a respectable game. Work needed on support play from the forwards and running lines from the backs. Lineouts were going well and the full 8 man scrum was solid and steady. There is plenty of learning for the Mullingar lads in this game and a few more struggles ahead as we wait for the GAA season to end. See you at training.