Game 6 Review: Rhinos 7 - 18 Cowboys

A small squad of Cowboys took to road to Castleknock and locked horns with the West Dublin Rhinos for a battle of two teams with winning records. The Cowboys got off to a good start, forcing the Rhinos to punt on their first drive and looked healthy through the running of Shayne Mone but lost the ball through a fumble in the back field and turned possession over to their hosts. Although it wasn't long until the Cowboys had the ball back in their hands as cornerback Thomas Pollock tipped a long pass for linebacker Gareth McShane to gratefully catch and return 10 yards. Again some hardnosed running shared by Peter Loughran and Mone seen the former rush in for the game’s opening score after finding some room outside for a 30 yard rushing score. The Cowboys missed on their 2 point conversion to leave the scored at 6-0.

​The next drive seen the defence step up big again as some run stuffing pressure seen a ball pop loose and Jason Duddy pounced on the ball to recover the fumble. The rookie defensive end is having a great season so far, showing his worth as he grows into the season more and more. A steady run game and some screen passes seen the 'Boys a few yards out where Josh Marchbanks was able to take advantage as he found P Loughran in the end zone for a short passing TD. Another missed 2PAT left the scored at 12-0.

The Rhinos then bounced back with an impressive drive that was set up by a long pass and missed tackles that seen the home side within reach of the end zone. They found it on the next play, rushing out wide and creeping in the corner for the TD, PAT was successful to drag the score back to 12-7 and that was how the scores stayed at half time.

The Cowboys went 3 and out with the first drive of the half before Carmine Fictola was able to pounce on the loose ball during the punt return, Cowboys ball again somewhat fortunately. A 55 yard run by Mone set up a short field for the Cowboys offence and they converted with P Loughran rushing the ball in from 6 yards out. Another failed 2PAT seen the scored sitting at 18-7. It was time for the Cowboys defence to see out the game and they stepped up with some big plays: two sacks from P Loughran, tackles for losses by Jonny Martin & McShane and interceptions by Pollock & Jo Buchanan sealed the game for the Cowboys.

Another win for the Cowboys extends their unbeaten streak and moves them to 6&0 for the season. The last two games of the regular season sees a back to back with the 2nd placed Derry / Donegal Vipers, looks set to be a monumental two games that will shape the post season for both sides. But for now the 'Boys can rest up those bumps and bruises and enjoy moving to 6 games unbeaten so far