Junior Boys Rugby Plate vs. Mount Temple
Match Report: Mount Temple vs. St Paul’s
By Evan McCormack (TY student)
On a cold, wet Wednesday afternoon, December 4th, Mount Temple hosted St Paul’s in an invigorating rugby match under harsh rain and heavy winds. The challenging conditions at Mount Temple School only added to the intensity of the contest, as both teams delivered a thrilling, closely fought encounter.
St Paul’s started confidently, with their forwards looking sharp in the warm-up and demonstrating great passing and composure in contact. Mount Temple, despite some scrappy lineouts, relied on their strong backline to make an early impact.
The game kicked off with physicality and energy from both sides. St Paul’s struck first when Jacob Trochonowicz powered his way over the try line, showcasing his strength and determination. The conversion was successful, giving St Paul’s an early 7-0 lead.
Mount Temple responded with aggression, using their backline’s speed and skill to create opportunities. Just before half time, they leveled the score at 7-7 with a well-crafted team try, setting the stage for an intense second half.
The battle resumed with both teams trading hard hits and moments of excellence. In the scrums, St Paul’s props David Burke and Callum Crabbe were unstoppable, providing stability and power that allowed their side to consistently win clean ball. St Paul’s regained the lead when Burke capitalized on their dominance up front to score their second try after sustained pressure in Mount Temple’s 22. However, Mount Temple refused to back down, finding space in St Paul’s defensive line and scoring again to keep the scores level at 14-14.
In the final stages, the match reached its peak intensity. St Paul’s captain Cillian Brennan led from the front, rallying his team as they looked to secure the win. Daniel Chinda then delivered a stunning solo try, breaking multiple tackles and sprinting under the posts, putting St Paul’s ahead once more. But Mount Temple pieced one last attack. In a dramatic finish, their backline executed a decisive move to score in the dying minutes, sealing a narrow 21-19 victory.
This fiercely competitive match was a testament to both teams’ determination and skill. St Paul’s try-scorers Jacob Trochonowicz, David Burke, and Daniel Chinda stood out for their contributions, while Mount Temple’s effort and resilience earned them a hard-fought win. Special mention must go to St Paul’s front-row duo David Burke and Callum Crabble for their performance in the scrums, which kept their team in the game throughout. This match truly showcased the very best of school rugby.
The Junior boys are back out against Ardscoil na Trinoide, Athy in Portarlington RFC on Wednesday 11th December for their last match before Christmas.
