A game that started very brightly for Dolphin, ended in anguish for the home side.
Within five minutes Dolphin had crossed for a try from Craig O’Connell under the posts leaving an easy conversion for Daryl Foley. The visitor’s aided by a strong breeze soon settled down and reduced the deficit with a penalty. Skerries were on the scoreboard shortly afterwards with a try from David Goodman and the conversion extended the lead to 7-10.
Some good play by the backs saw Craig O’Connell score his 2nd try and the reliable Daryl Foley gave Dolphin a 14-10 lead. The Dolphin defense was standing firm under pressure when Skerries did something you rarely see these days. They kicked a drop goal, when it was not under a penalty advantage or the last minute of the game- how this mattered at the end.
There was still time for Skerries to once again take the lead with an unconverted try before HT and it was 14-18 at the break.
With six scores in the first half, things were a lot more cagey in the second half and there was just two tries, one being converted. Kevin McGrath scored shortly after the restart giving Skerries a nine point lead. Dolphin through a Cam O’Shaughnessy try, converted by Foley brought the gap back to 2 points.
Dolphin did have a chance with a penalty with 5 mins to go, the swirling wind made things very difficult and the kick fell just short, the Dolphin crowd tried to convince the referee that the ball was knocked on by Skerries on their own line but he did not see it that way.
Now next weeks away game to Belfast Harlequins is a must win as Dolphin have gone back to the bottom of the table on points difference. They are now level with the Belfast side and 3 points behind Malahide