Match Report: Waterpark v Connemara 24-1-09
Connemara 40 Waterpark 35
Connemara made the long journey to Waterford on Saturday hoping for a win and if possible pick up a bonus point.
With Waterpark without a point on the board to date this seemed quite possible but a team at the bottom are a dangerous side especially at home. It was a nervous time for all. The fact that Paddy O Toole and Troy Nathan were available gave the team and supporters a boost.
The day was perfect for rugby and the pitch in great condition. We got off to a good start and looked like we were well up for this vital match and within 4 minutes Sean Joyce had them in front with a well taken penalty .
Waterpark got on the score board in the 16th minute with a penalty and in the 17th minute Paddy O Toole dropped a goal to make it 6-3
This seemed to give us the confidence they needed and over the next 15 minutes produced some of the best rugby seen all season resulting in tries from Frankie Lenord, Peter O’ Toole and Bernard Keaney. Waterpark replied with two penalty goals . The sin binning of Troy Nathan with 4 minutes to go to half time was the only down side to our golden patch.
The halftime score was 26-9
It seemed now that a bonus point were well within reach, but Waterpark were not finished yet and within 4 minutes they got in for a try which was converted 26-16.
It looked for a while as if the win might be in question but in the 22nd minute Sean Joyce went in for a try and a bonus point (if we won). Sean converted the try making the score 33-16. The game was now into the last quarter, surely this was enough.
Shortly after, in the 26th minute Waterpark got in for a try which was converted 33-23, match on. We responded well and Troy Nathan went in for a try which was converted by Paddy O’ Toole 40 -23 Surely now that was that .
Connemara’s bench made a lot of changes, I suppose to give people a run and a well deserved rest for others. However, Waterpark were not going to go down without a fight and scored two late tries and converted one to bring the final score to 40-35. We were glad to hear the final whistle with a well deserved win, with a bonus point and maybe a valuable lesson learned. Mission accomplished. Hopefully Waterpark’s season will take off now after picking up two bonus points. As always the hospitality they show to us any time we visit is second to none.
