Under 18.5: Nenagh Ormond U18.5’s travelled to play a friendly in Old Crescent on Sunday as the build up to the Pan Munster competition continues. The day was bright and mostly dry, with one shower before the start of the game giving way to good playing conditions. The first hall was a cagey affair with a lot of penalties awarded against both teams, with the breakdown being fiercely contested. Nenagh had a number of good opportunities to score from a number of short penalties near the Old Crescent line but the chances were missed. Old Crescent later in the half managed to score out wide after a turnover from a Nenagh maul in our 22, something that can be worked on in training. The conversion was good leaving the score 7-0 to the home team at half time. Again with a big squad a number of changes were made at half time and Nenagh showed better intent and rucking in the second stanza, the support play was poor in the first half. We scored a good unconverted try through Tristin Madden but lost Darragh Gleeson to injury and this removed a good attacking threat for the rest of the game. We put some good phases of play together in the second half and from a close in penalty Jess Robbins took a quick tap and burst over for another unconverted try. We looked in control in the Old Crescent half but a ball popped out of a ruck in their 22 and a good counter saw them get to our 22 and a penalty was awarded and an option to kick at the posts was chosen. The kick was narrowly wide but Nenagh played the ball and some loose play gave Crescent the ball back and we were defending deep in our 22. In fairness to the boys they defended well but a number of further penalties conceded kept the pressure on and in the last play after 5 minutes of injury time Crescent scored under the posts to take the win 14-10. There were some very good performances from Dylan Crowe, Killian Ryan and Fionn O’Meara in the pack and Conor McGrath played well in the backs. Jess Robbins and the replacements brought some good energy in the second half and overall it was a good hit out. The Pan Munster starts next Sunday with a home match so a good week's training will help iron out some of the early season rustiness.

Squad

Dylan Crowe, Nickie Nie, Dylan Schweitnitz, Ivan Struzia, James Simons, Cathan Gaffney, Darragh Gleeson, Tristan Madden, Tommy Wilkinson, Sean Ryan, Dan Keneally, Jack Butler, Oisin Moloney, Josh Powell, Fionn O’Meara, Killian Ryan, Jack Meagher, Josh Morgan, Conor McGrath, Luke Walsh, Trinity Minehan, Sean Toomey, Sam Lancaster, Ryan Imhoff, Sam Cusack, Jess Robbins. Injured Alex Moloney, Mason Cawley, Dylan Doris, Mikey Morgan