After having been forced by injury and absence to field a weakened team against Clonakilty, and a subsequent narrow defeat, our U15s were keen to get back to winning ways last Saturday, away against Ballincollig.
The weather and pitch conditions were poor, with stong winds and driving rain.  The lads got off to a good start and were dominating possession but a kick through, and the slippery conditions earned the home side a try, for a 5 nil lead. Minutes later a similar tactic lead to another score for ballincollig, this time the conversion was good and from the restart Crosshaven infringed in front of the posts to hand the home side a 15 points to nil advantage. 

This proved to be the last time Ballincollig would threaten the Crosshaven line, and with our forwards dominating in the tight, scrum in the 22 saw scrum half Donal Kiely go over unopposed in the left hand corner; 15 - 5.  From the restart, full back Sam Crumplin kicked up field and hard chasing by himself and Wing Ben Sperring lead to a break by the latter into the 22, good inter-passing and quick support then saw outside half, Declan Taylor step his way to the line; 15-10.  After the break, sustained pressure and quick recyclying again lead to Taylor going in under the posts; 15-17.  By this stage the big Ballincollig pack were being run around the field by our forwards and some probing kicks from the half backs. Ballincollig infringed on their own ten metre line and Crosshaven elected to kick, the shot went narrowly wide, but from the drop out, the Crosshaven pack gathered and fed centre and Captain Eoin Donworth who break two tackles to cross for converted try; 15-24.  Then followed the try of the game, with loose head Dominic Kiely feeding Donal Kiely from a fast ruck outside the 22, Donal was forced to the touch line but managed a reverse pass to supporting winger, Brendan Lyden who cut inside and crossed for his try; 15-29.  In the closing stages Eoin Donworth again crossed out wide to give an unassailable 15 points to 34 lead.  Crosshaven weren't finished though, and with time up, a scrum in the Ballincollig 22 saw Declan Taylor drop a goal, for a final score of Ballincollig 15 - Crosshaven 37.  This was a fine team performance, with the pack providing all the momentum allowing our backs to score, and the lads didn't panic when they went behind.  Next Saturday (12th) the lads entertain Skibbereen, at Myrtleville Cross, kick off 2pm.  This is the last league match before the new year and we would be grateful for all support.

Finally well done and good luck to the following players who aretraining with the South Munster U15 development set up: Dominic Kiely, Luke O'Donnell, Jamie Byrne, Connor Dunne, Eoin Donworth, Donal Kiely, Sam Crumplin, Declan Taylor.  The other clubs in the region have may be two or three on the squad and it is reflective of the strength of our U15s that we were allowed this number.