Round 6 of the 24/25 All Ireland League brought Munster rivals, Bruff, down to Towns Park on a wet and mild November afternoon.  The dreary weather was in part a reflection of the action on the pitch.  With 6 points a piece in the first 40 minutes it was setting up to be a slow day. That said a controversial disallowed try from Rian Hogan (see image below) should have given the home side an early lead but as it happened the visitors went up 6 nil before Idris Rqibi’s men could put a point on the board.

Jack Colbert’s boot was on point again for the home side as he put up Midleton’s first scores on the 30th and 37th minute respectively, making it 6-6 going into the break.

A few changes early in the second half brought a new lease of life for the men in red who opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a hard fought try from man of the match Harry Jephson. Jack added the extra’s to bring the score to 13-6.  A mere 5 minutes later Jephson battled over again for another 5 pointer.  Colbert’s kick was miscalculated and  put the ball wide of the posts, 18 – 6 after 47 minutes and that would be the last score until the final play of the game.  Robbie Doyle and his coaching team made good use of the bench to sap any late surge out of Bruff and keep dominance in the pack and the score board.  Last play of the game resulted in a penalty attempt in front of the visitors posts, Jack duly added the 3 points to bring the game to an end, 21 – 6.  

All credit to Bruff it was a spirited performance in poor conditions, and it has to be noted that their lineout worked incredibly well with the Hooker hitting the tail of the lineout with each ball. An impressive display by anyone’s measure.