Brown won its second successive and final tour match against an Athlone based Connacht Development squad 25-17. In this match the backs were much more of a factor both offensively and defensively. The team balance created more space for the backs, and defensively, center Dow Travers’12 and wing Dan Tonderys’14 had particularly good performances.
Dubarry Park
Athlone
First XV Scoring Summary
First Half
10nd min try – Brown (Zach Long) -- Brown 5 - Connacht 0
20th min try – Connacht -- Brown 5 - Connacht 5
27th min converted try – Connacht -- Brown 5 - Connacht 12
36th min try – Connacht -- Brown 5 - Connacht 17
First Half: Brown 5 - Connacht 17
Second Half
57th min penalty kick – Brown (Ryan Jones) -- Brown 8 - Connacht 17
63rd min try – Brown (Matt Leonard) -- Brown 13 - Connacht 17
68th min try – Brown (Zach Long) -- Brown 18 - Connacht 17
76th min try – Brown (Eddie Friedman) -- Brown 23 - Connacht 17
conversion (James McGinn) -- Brown 25 - Connacht 17
Second Half: Brown 20 - Connacht 0
Brown began the match with a driving lineout, reminiscent of the Monday match, putting Zach Long again over the line for a 5-0 Brown lead. However, Connacht then took charge scoring three first half tries, converting one for a 17-5 halftime advantage. This squad was bigger and quicker than the Monday opponent. Brown was having trouble breaking the Irish defensive line. As well, Brown defensive mistakes contributed to the first half result.
The second half, however, was a different story. Brown began to pressure Connacht, forcing a penalty that fly half Ryan Jones”14 converted for a 17-8 deficit. Brown’s defensive system which had been under some pressure in the first half, shut out the Irish for the entire second half.
Connacht was frustrated by its missed passes and dropped balls, clearly a result of good Brown defense.
With 20 minutes left in the match, Brown began to find and exploit defensive gaps, moving deep into the Connacht end where Brown was awarded another penalty. Scrum half Matt Leonard’14 alertly took a quick tap and scored, leaving Brown but 4 points behind.
Brown’s lineouts had been well defended since the first try of the match, but the Irish gave up another lineout drive and another Zach Long try with only 13 minutes left in the match to put Brown ahead 18-17.
With time running out, and Brown again deep in the Connacht end, Brown flanker Eddie Friedman’14 score the final try of the tour and wing James McGinn’12 added an exclamation point with the conversion,
Referee: Dave O’Donnell
