Portlaoise CBS 26 Arklow CBS 24
Pat Rossiter Cup Semi Final
The Portlaoise CBS senior rugby team travelled to Arklow Rugby Club to play Arklow CBS in the semi-final of the Pat Rossiter Cup last week.
Arklow were the team who knocked Portlaoise CBS out of last year’s cup so old rivalries were being renewed and the CBS were hoping for some revenge.
Unfortunately, the game didn’t start as the Laois side would have liked and Arklow scored and converted an early try to take the lead.
Thankfully, the CBS boys responded well with a great try from PJ Larkin and Matthew Coonan then added the conversion.
Arklow weren’t done yet and responded with another try of their own after some big carries.
But the CBS came again with some good forward work sending Jake Andrews in for a try – leaving Arklow in the lead by 14-12 at half time.
Arklow started strongest again in the second half with a well worked team try giving them a 10 point lead.
The CBS boys were finding it hard to get any traction until a snipping run from Jake Darcy sent the impressive Larkin in for his second try. A huge conversion from Coonan made it a 3 point game in Arklow’s favour.
Arklow rallied again and piled on the pressure with some huge turnovers from man of the Match Evan Bergin keeping them at bay.
They came again though and it was a super block down and collection that sent Jake Darcy the length of the field to score in the corner.
The CBS were now two points ahead with the game on red.
Arklow were not done though, and won a penalty just left of the CBS posts outside the 22-metre line.
Their out half who had a great game had the kick to win it. Fortunately for the CBS he narrowly missed right at the death, giving the CBS boys a narrow victory and a place in the final.
The Portlaoise CBS senior team will now join the U-16s in Donnybrook next Thursday for the cup finals.
This is a great achievement for the boys and their coaches Mr Conor Ryan and Leinster CCRO Bryan Croke.
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