Greystones RFC 27. DSLP 17               

Ulster Bank League Division 2A

Played:                Friday 29th October 2011

Venue:                 Dr. Hickey Park

Tries:                    Andrew Kealy (1), Cillian Willis (1), Simon Malone (1)
Conversions:   Andrew Kealy (3) 
Penalties:           Andrew Kealy (2)     

Friday 29th October Greystones welcomed DLSP to Dr Hickey for a local derby match in the AIL. This was Greystones first AIL match to be played under lights and also saw the return of Cillian Willis from his recent very successful run playing for Leinster with some superb man of the match performances.  The Friday night under lights worked very well with a good crowd down and a great atmosphere. IRFU TV were also on hand to record the match and the highlights are available to view on the IRFU web site.
DSLP came as the undefeated table toppers to take on a Stones side that was still adjusting to life in Division 2A following promotion last season. What we experienced was a very exciting game played in very windy conditions that saw the home side come out on top at “Fortress Dr. Hickey Park”.
Stones played with the considerable wind in the first half and were offered a shot at goal from the kick off when they were awarded a penalty within the first minute of play which just went wide. Stones needed to add some scores while they had the advantage of the wind but the score remained at 3 – 0 for the first half hour when they then produced a fantastic ten minutes before the break. Andrew Kealy took a quick tap and go penalty when he saw a gap in the DSLP defence and touched down for a try which he also converted. The home side followed up with two more converted tries before the break from scrum-half Cillian Willis and centre Simon Malone, just what Stones needed going in at half time leading 27 -0.
DLSP came out in the second half now playing with the wind and needing to find some serious scores to turn the match around. The Greystones team were looking more settled and were very well organised and their defensive play was excellent and was frustrating to the visitors. DLSP did not give up and managed to cross the line to score three tries and one conversion but Stones ended up winning 27 -17 and such was the confidence there was talk of the possibility of a bonus point.
The Greystones team is getting back to full strength having been plagued with injuries at the start of the season and sadly on the night returning captain Barry Holmes was replaced during the game with what looked like a repeat injury we hope it is not too bad and will not keep him out for long.

Greystones Team
15 Eoin Toolan
14 Roddy Carroll
13 Simon Malone
12 Conor Clery
11 Andrew Kealy
10 Ross Spillane
9 Cillian Willis
1 Ronan Kearney
2 Dylan Fawsitt
3 Bobby Clancy
4 Barry Holmes (Capt)
5 Ben Armstrong
6 Stuart Abbott
7 Alan Dempsey
8 Robin O'Sullivan

Replacements:
16 Peter Hipple
17 Neil O'Brien
18 James Beery
19 Dave Downey
20 Dermot O'Rourke