In ancient Rome, well before the IRFU was founded, a high ranking General having returned with his army from successfully hacking some hapless enemy into meaty chunks could, if he was well connected, be awarded a “Triumph”. This entailed dressing up, painting your face red, and parading through Rome to accept the adulation and gratitude of the mob. Massive party afterwards and a more than possible chance of a bit of you know what. Historians tell us that in order to manage the ego, and ambition, of the recipient and to remind him that he has been granted the honour by the Senate of the Republic; a slave would ride in his chariot with him, holding an olive wreath above his head and whispering in his ear memento mori (Remember … Mortal!).
On Saturday Old Belvedere played out the latest chapter in what has become their weekly serialised horror story. Crowned champions last year, their rugby mortality has been exposed in brutal fashion and they are yet to register a victory this season. Clontarf, having been on the end of a cruel blow in last years semi final carry the scars of battle and were in no mood for mercy in a chilly Anglesea Road.
Having said that it took the visitors quite a while to shake off some big game wobbles that saw kick after kick miss touch and some decision making that under 13’s would be embarrassed about. When the team did settle it took a little bit of luck as well with Sam Cronin’s inside flick kicked through in unorthodox style by Barry O’Mahony who was alert enough to regather and put Frank Cogan in by the posts. That settled the nerves and with Richie Lane in solid kicking form adding two penalties, the scoreboard started to tick and the patterns settled on the pitch. Killian Lett added another try just before half time for 18 – 3 to Clontarf.
The second half followed the pattern set in the first with Old B trying manfully and Clontarf knocking them down like skittles. Chief bowling ball was Ben Barclay who had a huge game and reportedly was so pooped at the end of the match that he crawled up on to the physios table and had a snooze. Notable also was Jamie Chipman who carried well and cleared a few rucks like an enraged bull. With ten to go a Belvo kick through rebounded off Tarf legs, was gathered, and Barry O’Mahony was put clear at half way to outpace Eddie Devitt and Richie Leydon to seal the game for Tarf. At that point a bonus was on and with a penalty kick put to the corner the visitors looked odds on to get it but good defensive work by Leydon at the lineout snuffed out the chance and Belvo finished by getting a break away score at the death.
On the subject of bonus points:
We are 1 point clear at the top of 1A and have six games to play, four at home and two away including a trip to Young Munster. It seems to me that at this juncture it is winning that is critical, not bonus points. If we had earned a bonus point on Saturday we would be two points clear but if we lose against Con next Saturday we are back on our heels. Bonus points are nice, logic tells you that 5 points are better than 4 but, for me, in this league, winning is everything. It has become as tight as a Cup competition.
Disclaimer:
The management would like to advise that all opinions expressed are those of a soused, congenital idiot who can be, and regularly is, contradicted, outvoted, pilloried, persecuted, and abused by an ungrateful Club run by an Executive the like of which has not been seen since the Committee for Public Safety in revolutionary France.