The stormy weather threatened to wipe out all rugby over the weekend with 3rd Grade postponed on Friday night and the news coming on Saturday morning that our home field was unplayable. Fortunately the storms had not been so severe at Ipswich and they were able to offer the use of their pitch. With time at a premium it was decided there was insufficient time to to contact everyone from Reserve Grade and get them to make the trip to Ipswich in time so it was decided to concentrate on getting the A Grade out there

Firstly a big thank you to all those who travelled to sit on the bench and provide support as it is invaluable to know we have players there if needed

We knew in advance Ipswich had a sizeable pack and the emphasis of their game would be pick and drive and forward attacks around the breakdown and we were not dissapointed. If there is one thing the Irish do not lack it is heart and the way everyone threw themselves into defence was fantastic with tackles around the breakdown being made in the main on or on the Ipswich side of the gain line.

We have committed as a club this year to move the ball and play attacking rugby and this was shown on Saturday. Two great tries were scored in the first half what involved line breaks followed by multiple inter passes where any of 3 players could have touched down. This is the type of support we have been looking for and to cap it off both tried were scored by forwards in James Bucknell and Daryn Lucas. Conversions were successfully made by Cathal Brophy

With the rain coming down and making handling harder Ipswich fought back through continued bask and smash tactics which resulted in 2 tries and a further one from a fielded kick and poor open field defence form the Irish

This brought the score to 17 - 14 in favour of Ipswich with under 15 minutes remaining. In the last couple of weeks we have tended to sit back and try to protect leads but with a potential win in sight there was no sitting back today. Every player threw themselves into the attack with a determination to come away with a win. 

While the first half had seen Ipswich get away with murder as far as infringements went - it took until the 32nd minute of play for the Irish to receive their second Free Kick! - the referee started to rein in the opposition and combined with the Irish pressure it resulted in 2 kickable penalties but unfortunately Cathal Brophy, who has proved to be a rock as far as kicks for goal go in the last 2 games, found his form desert him.

With under 5 to go Daryn Lucas went over from the back of a scrum and grounded the ball but with the referee on the wrong side and unsighted he called it as held up but the Irish weren't finished.

With under a minute remaining the ball was shipped wide to Cathal Brophy on the right who deftly chipped over a defender and chased through with winger Josh Walters by his side. This pressure caused the final defender to fumble and Josh Walters pounced on the ball to score in the dying seconds and give the Irish the win they had fought so hard for and truly deserved

With players rushing in to congratulate the boys involved, the scenes of celebration eclipsed the  attempt of Cathal to convert the try he had done so well to create but the kick was academic as the game was over and the Irish were victorious

For the second week in a row we have score 3 tries and the 4th to secure the bonus point  still eludes us but the last 2 weeks show that we have the potential to score from anywhere on the park and with any player, forward or back. 

The encounter with Ipswich sees A Grade move 6 points clear of them in 5th place and puts us level on points (18) with the Pine Rivers Boars who have a superior for and against

In the only other game of the round to beat the rain it was first v second when Goodna went up against Ipswich. In a close encounter Goodna came out on top 8-6 to retain their unbeaten record while Wynnum picked up the bonus point to keep them second on 24 points

Next Weekend

A Grade

The next 3 weeks see us play the other 3 clubs in the top 4, Goodna, Wynnum and  Pine Rivers Boars and all games are at home

Saturday the 30th of May sees the Irish come up against the only club we haven't played so far this season and our traditional rivals - Wynnum

This game is always a classic encounter with both clubs playing for pride as much as points. In the last encounter between the 2 clubs in A Grade it was the Irish who came out on top in John Dalle Court's final match for the Irish and the same passion will be on show this time. With only 6 points separating the two sides and the Boars facing a trip to Goodna a win for the Irish will not only get one over on Wynnum but will also most likely be enough to move us up into clear third spot with a game still in hand over the Boars

Reserve Grade

Currently sitting in 3rd spot on the ladder they come up against a Wynnum side who are unbeaten so far and clear competion leaders but this will mean nothing come 1.30pm Saturday and a win for the Irish will have them competiting for second spot as they still have a game in hand over Ipswich in second spot who are 4 points ahead

3rd Grade

Our Friday night side take on St Leo's Old Boys with whom they currently share 5th spot on 11 points so a third win in a row for the Irish will see them create some breathing space between them while looking to the result in the Easts v Medicals game where a win for the Irish and a victory for Easts would see us move into the top 4 for the first time

Summary

Season 2009 is breaking new ground for the Irish. Not only are we fielding 3 competitive sides for the first time in our history but the coming weekend has the potential to see all 3 grades in the top 4 and on track for spots in the finals come August

When you combine this with the fact Brisbane Irish are the only Suburban club to field 3 sides this season it is going a long way to demonstrating that the club is on track and is an up and coming force in Brisbane rugby circles

Everyone new and old is encouraged to be part of this by getting down to training on Tuesday night and declaring themselves fit and available for this weekend, because with 3 sides to field we promise to find a spot for you somewhere