TWO brilliant first-half goals set Rathgormack on their way to a successful defence of the Waterford SF title at Walsh Park yesterday. Coming within a four minute spell at the beginning of the second quarter, both goals were laid on by man-of-the-match Ger Power and blasted home by Paddy Crotty.

It must be said that they arrived like bolts from the blue, coming against the run of play after Gaultier, seeking their first championship, had been almost totally dominant.

But for all their possession the losers did not have the fire power up front to take advantage and trailed by 2-3 to 0-7 at the break. The goals, the second a cross and volley which would have raised the roof at Old Trafford, seemed to knock the stuffing out of Gaultier who never recovered.

Although they had the first point of the second half from Shane Bergin, four in reply from Rathgormack made the result inevitable with 20 minutes still remaining.

Power, one of five brothers on the winning side, continued to play havoc at full forward and his team played far more purposeful football, making and taking some fine points in the process.

Gaultier in contrast laboured too often in possession and never looked like breaking through for the goal they so badly needed.