Hardly pretty, but Galwegians secured their ninth successive Ulster Bank League game to remain top of the division 2A table at the weekend.
In a hard-fought 5-0 victory away to Seapoint in Dublin, Galwegians stretched their lead to eight points over NUIM Barnhall and Queen’s University, and now have a week’s break before their next outing against Naas at Crowley Park.
Incessant driving rain and high winds at Kilbogget Park made the game almost unplayable at times, and Galwegians, despite being clear favourites, were forced to dig deep to grind out the victory.
Scoring opportunities were limited, but the stronger Wegians pack began to assert itself as the game progressed. With half time approaching, the Blues forced a series of five-metre scrums, and a powerful shunt gave scrumhalf Barry Lee the chance to dive over for the decisive score.
Seapoint dominated the third quarter and on two occasions laid siege to the Wegians’ line, but some magnificent trademark defence by the Blues kept them at bay.
In the Heineken Junior Cup, Galwegians gained revenge for last season's final defeat when they knocked out holders Monivea by 28-3 to advance to the quarter-finals where they are away to the winner of the Ballinasloe v Sligo.
Galwegians RFC: D Leader; J Cleary, J Harrimate, B Murphy, C Conroy; R Shaughnessy, B Lee; J Naughton, C Muldoon, J East; D McCabe, B McClearn (cpt ); R Fitzgerald, E Earle, E Rooney. Replacements, C Blade, C Gaffney, J Dinneen, M Towey, P Griffin.
