Table toppers Letterkenny Under-18’s remain unbeaten after there trip to Dromore on Saturday although their winning start to the season has come to an end.
Dromore 8-8 Letterkenny RFC
In very wet and windy conditions the game ended in an 8-8 draw with both teams scoring a try and a penalty kick.
A morning of heavy rainfall meant Letterkenny were aware that the pitch was unlikely to suit there open running style and so a battle of both packs ensued.
With a heavy pitch underfoot out half Peter Scot chose to kick to move his team forward. Letterkenny’s early dominance told and after 15 minutes were ahead thanks to the boot of Daniel Faulkner, who scored a penalty.
Although they had more of the possession Letterkenny could not add to the scoreboard and were made to pay when Dromore enjoyed their only spell of superiority just before half time and crossed the line for a try.
In another blow for Letterkenny they lost first choice hooker Stephen Holmes to injury. The score of 5-3 at the break was tough on the lads as they had dominated territory and possession.
Early in the second Dromore were to score again with a penalty and with the injuries mounting this time to replacement hooker Christopher Green soon to be followed with a nasty head wound by Darragh Toal it
began to look like the game was slipping away from Letterkenny.
Conditions underfoot worsened and made kicking and handling very difficult as Faulker missed two chances to reduce the deficit.
Although Lettrekenny continued to dominate possession resolute defence from Dromore and a number of handling errors meant frustration was growing in the Letterkenny ranks.
A quick penalty and an impressive run by Matthew Faulkner through the defence led to a series of drives that were held up on the line with the pressure only being relieved for Dromore with another handling error.
With time running out the team displayed its never say die spirit and with Joseph Dunleavy again leading the forwards by example and ably supported by Diarmuid Gallagher and sub Stephen Gibson the Dromore line was finally crossed by Dunleavy himself.
With four minutes still to play Letterkenny went in search of the winning score from the restart but time would run out.
On a day when conditions dictated so many things on the pitch the pack worked themselves to a stand still and so the team remain top of the table with another big test ahead of them next week when Randalstown visit Dave Gallagher Park.
Table toppers Letterkenny Under-18s remain unbeaten after there trip to Dromore on Saturday although their winning start to the season has come to an end.E Henry, A Boal-Quinn, M Faulkner,D Faulkner O Toal, P Scott, B Khavia, J Dunleavy, D Toal, M Molloy, J Fogarty, D Gallagher, D Ward, S Holmes, C Green. Subs K Grant, J Roulston, J Smeaton, W Douglas S Gibson.
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