Leinster League favourites Boyne visited Mill Road on Saturday to play second from bottom Dundalk

Currently undefeated, Boyne would have been justified in expecting a comfortable win, an expectation that would have been shaken somewhat when Dundalk scored within the first minute.

Laurence Steen fielded Boyne’s kick-off and set up a ruck.  John Smith took a short pass from Padraig Conroy at scrum-half and crashed forward taking a number of defenders out of the line to stop him.  The ball was quickly recycled and when it was passed along the back line, Paddy Reilly, on his first start of the season, made use of the overlap to touch down for a try.  Ultan Murphy slotted over the conversion to bring the score to 7-0 for Dundalk.

Dundalk’s hunger for a win was evident throughout the match and they put pressure on Boyne both in attach and in defence.  Boyne tried to run themselves out of trouble on a number of occasions but solid tackling by the Dundalk backline kept them pinned down in their own half.  Pressure paid off for Dundalk on 15 minutes when James McConnon took advantage of a gap in the ruck defence to score the first of his two trys of the day.  14-0 for Dundalk.

Boyne came back strongly but were frustrated by their lack of penetration.  They were unsuccessful with a couple of long range penalties before switching tactics and going for touch instead.  Dundalk competed well in the lineout and were the stronger throughout the match in this area.  Pressure told when the Boyne hooker was penalised for a crooked throw and Dundalk were able to work the ball upfield.

Dundalk's superiority in the lineout was decisive when they were awarded a throw inside the Boyne 22.  A clean catch allowed them to maul forward and over the Boyne line.  Steen touched down for the score.

A penalty from Murphy completed the scoring in the first half leaving Dundalk in the lead 24-0.

Dundalk used the slight breeze in the second half to good effect and kept Boyne in their own territory for long periods.  As time went on Boyne were forced to run the ball from everywhere in an effort to cut the deficit.  Dundalk stood up to the pressure from the much vaunted Boyne back-line and the home team’s new centre partnership of Kieran Lenehan and James Shields were outstanding.  Boyne’s strategy was loaded with risk and so it proved when they were penalized first with a penalty kick from Reilly and then by McConnon's second try, coming from turnover ball inside the Boyne 22.  Dundalk led with 15 minutes to go with the score at 34-0.

Boyne eventually registered on the scoreboard with 12 minutes still on the clock when their winger went over in the corner.

Dundalk were not going to allow their opponents any hope of a late comeback however and their hugely impressive performance was capped with a fifth try shortly afterwards when Dundalk forwards and backs combined to put winger, Kevin Hearty over for another converted try.  The referee blew for no side leaving Dundalk the winners with a final score of 41-7.

Check out the Dundalk Rugby Club Website at www.dundalkrfc.ie for information on fixtures and events at the Club.