Mullingar beat Suttonians in last warm up game

Mullingar 31 …… Suttonians 12

On Friday evening at Shay Murtagh Park under lights, Mullingar completed their last warm up game before the Leinster League with a solid performance against Division 1A team visitors Suttonians. The improved squad strength in depth was in evidence with seven substitutes rotated with little effect on the overall performance.

Mullingar set the tone with aggression and intent from the start. A solid platform in the scrum with Jonathan Fuimaono making his debut and good line out possession gave Mullingar plenty of territory in the opening quarter. Mike Walls & Matt Coade used the steady flow of quick ball to direct the outside backs. First Matt Coade looked to release his three quarters again but feinted past the Suttonians defence to score and Butler added the conversion for an early 7 nil lead. Then Liddy burst through for a second try following excellent work by the pack, who had missed the opportunity to capitalise from a previous scrum with a knock on just short of the line.

Suttonians were not happy to be 14 nil down and they gradually got into the game which was turning into a seriously physical game. There were hard tackles and contests all over the pitch and Suttonians were determined to show their Division 1 status. Midway through the half, Suttonians were matching Mullingars brighter start. Slightly against the run of play, David O’Reilly followed up on his chip and with confusion between two Suttonians defenders, he snaffled possession and galloped over from distance, with Butler again adding the conversion, 21 nil. Ciaran O’Donoghue came on for Fui.

Mullingar got renewed confidence and played some lovely rugby for the next period with Andrew Coade and Ryan Tighe running nice lines and then Matt Coade used his brothers inside line as a decoy to again out think the defence and scampered over on 35 minutes to get his second and Mullingars fourth try. Butler made it 4 from 4; 28 nil. This was scarcely believable and Suttonians rampaged back at Mullingar and with sheer numbers and multiple phases crossed the line for a converted try to make it 28 -7 at the break.

At half-time, the young team got younger as Smith replaced O’Reilly, Leahy replaced Brady, Geraghty replaced Pyke, Arthur Brabazon replaced Walls, and the returning Andrew Purcell replaced Cormac Dunne. There was a good ten to fifteen minutes of Suttonians pressure, including territorial dominance and multiple phases in the danger area for Mullingar, but defence held and Mullingar cleared their lines. Further changes saw Gantley for Brabazon and the return of Fui and O’Reilly. Then some good interplay between backs and forwards created a penalty which Butler missed bit a repeat opportunity was slotted for a 31 – 7 lead.

Again Suttonians lifted their game, and they got the upper hand for a period. Strong defence on the line and sheer guts held Suttonians out. Pyke returned for Hannno and Alan Brabazon replaced the injured Matt Coade. A series of five yard scrums, lineouts from penalties and multiple phases were repulsed by an organised and determined defence, but 25 minutes into the half, Suttonians created the space for their right winger to score in the corner making it 31 -12. This remained the score despite strong pressure from Suttonians to the end. It was a good match and served both squads the intended purpose of a hard fought last game before the real business begins next week. Both coaches used the game to rotate players and try different combinations.

We wish Suttonians every success in Division 1A as we begin our campaign in Division 1B next Sunday at 2.30 v Malahide RFC.

With Mullingar Womens team facing Old Belvedere at 1pm in the Leinster League Division 1 (AIL Qualifier), the Mens 2nds v Roscrea at 1pm ….. and the small matter of IRELAND v ROMANIA in the World Cup at 4.45 (being shown in the clubhouse….) we look forward to a feast of rugby next Sunday 27^th.

ALL SUPPORT WELCOME.

Team: Johnny Butler, Ryan Tighe, Alan Brabazon (Capt), Donal Liddy, Andrew Coade, Matthew Coade, Mike Walls, Niall Hannon, Cormac Dunne, Cilian Murphy, Richie Pyke., Alex Moran, Jonathan Fuimaono, David O’Reilly, Darren Brady. Subs: Ciaran O’Donoghue, Kevin Smith, Darrach Geraghty, Auden Leahy, Andrew Purcell, Eoghan Gantley, Peter Hall. Referee: James O’Hara.