Corinthians continue run of good form with another home win

Corinthians 18Midleton 12

Corinthians cemented their place in the top half of the Division 2 table – and closed the gap on some of the teams above them – with a well deserved win over Midleton in Cloonaucauneen Park on Saturday in a game played in terrible conditions.

The home side started brightly with the conditions in their favour and attacked at every opportunity with veteran scrum half Mick Roche urging the pack on. After passing up two early chances to get the scoreboard ticking over, they finally opened the scoring when good rucked ball set up an attacking platform.

The ball was swept out to fullback Darren Classens, who had with winger Fionn Gormley on his hip to receive the pass and touchdown in the corner. Shane Mulally, playing at out-half, missed the difficult conversion.

The home side again pinned the Munster outfit back after gaining possession from the restart off with back rows Pat Cunningham and Mick McComish driving forward, and the Midleton pack were pinged for killing the ball, with Mulally converting from 30 metres out to stretch the lead to 8-0.

Corinthians seemed to switch off after, and Terry Kingston’s outfit took full adantage with scrum half Ray Smyth slipping in behind the home side’s cover to touch down, with fullback James Hitchmough adding the extras to leave just a point between the sides.

The score jolted Corinthians into action, and they went straight back on the front foot, particularly through their front-row, and Denis Buckely and Joe Merrigan making good ground, and it was loose-head prop B Fa’Amausili who got in for the try, which Mulally converted to restore Corinthians’ eight-points lead going into the break.

For more, read this week.s Connacht Sentinel.