Having lost on the road to Monkstown in their opening Leinster League Division 1A encounter last week, a win on home soil would have been the perfect tonic for Kilkenny – and it was.
Suttonians had a chance to go ahead inside 60 seconds with a penalty in front of the posts that drifted wide left. Kilkenny made up the ground, Podge Mahon racing through the centre for Kilkenny’s first try as the sides begans to trade scores.
But, after a penalty-strewn first half, it was Suttonians taking an 18-15 lead into the break, both sides picking up three tries and neither able to convert any.
The second half, however, belonged to Kilkenny.
You could hear head coach Steve Ashmore’s half time rally from the far end of the pitch and it paid dividends, the Foulkstown men running out eventual 53-23 winners, restricting Suttonians to a single try in the second half and keeping their penalties more in check.
Liam Caddy put in a terrific performance with tries in both halves for Kilkenny while Rory McInerney and Evan Dixon’s linkup play proved pivotal in the second half, a terrific cross field kick and catch in the corner helping to open up the second half scoring and put Kilkenny firmly in the driving seat.
The win secures a bonus point for Kilkenny, unlucky last week not to come away with a losing bonus point and give them their first points of the Division 1A season.
Kilkeny’s try scorers included Liam Caddy (3), Evan Dixon (2), Podge Mahon (1), Tom Cuddihy (1), Robbie Walsh (1), Andy Nyenhuis (1). Here’s a look at some of the action from the game.
Elsewhere in the league, Clondalkin beat Monkstown 13-6, Enniscorthy overcame Ashbourne 38-2 while Gorey went down to De La Salle Palmserston 25-21.
Photos via Ken McGuire.
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