Greystones opt for open game

A superb display of open rugby earned Greystones a thoroughly deserved victory over Blaekrock in the final of the Metropolitan…

A superb display of open rugby earned Greystones a thoroughly deserved victory over Blaekrock in the final of the Metropolitan Cup at Donnybrook yesterday.

Flanker Des Gibney put Blaekrock in front after four minutes when he took the ball at the tail of the lineout close to the Greystones line. John McGowan added to his successful conversion with a 17th-minute penalty to open up a 10-point lead.

By then, Greystones had made clear their desire to play an open game and they were rewarded for their efforts 13 minutes later when John O'Beirne fed flanker, Mark Hogan, on the blind side of a ruck for a try which was converted by Eoin Costigan.

Another passing movement on 32 minutes saw Hannon, Lane and Ryan cut through a bemused Blackrock defence to set full-back Wayne Robertson up for a try in the right corner.

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Four minutes later O'Beirne took the ball from a scrum 30 metres out, breached the lack-lustre Blackrock cover and set scrum-half Stuart Han non up for a simple try. Costigan converted to give Greystones a 19-10 lead.