A cool afternoon saw two sides endeavour to play open rugby, despite the significance of the result. Fortunately for the home side, they gained a narrow win and 4 invaluable league points. Carrick started brightly and showed some speed in their backline but generally the Grosvenor defence held out. This is great credit to the new but inexperienced centre partnership of Timmy McMullan and Cameron Knell. A misread in defence saw the visitors gain good ground and this resulted in a try for their scrum half under the posts. Grosvenor 0 Carrick 7. The scrum was steady throughout and Grosvenor's first treal foray into the visitors half resulted in a McMullan penalty, to reduce the deficit to 7-3. Again Carrick exerted pressure on the home side but the defence was resolute. With the ball, Hamill and Kelly regularly put Grosvenor on the front foot but they were unable to convert pressure into points. Carrick got a penalty straight in front but inexplicably their kicker somehow managed to hit the upright and Grosvenor thankfully cleared. A brief episode of handbags resulted in a yellow card being produced to each side. The penalty was reversed and Grosvenor moved spectacularly down field to score what looked to be a brilliant try but the referee stated "held -up”. A ridiculous new law gives the defending team a dropout from their line. After excellent play and being deemed to be held up, the defence get the reward. This law needs reviewed. Half time 7-3 to Carrick.
One of the best phases of rugby by Grosvenor all season, saw the home side win a lineout, hit it up midfield, recycle quickly and offload when available. Timmy McMullan scored under the posts and converted 10-7 Grosvenor. This was to be the final score despite the attacking endeavours of the visitors, they were constantly repelled by a defence which just seemed to want it a bit more.
Final score 10-7
IG