Instonians ‘really aligned in what we want to do’ with string of AIL wins helping table climb
Instonians made it three consecutive wins in AIL Division 1B to move up to third after a battling win over Trinity at Shaw’s Bridge.
Inst lost three times to the Dublin students last year and needed a late Bevan Prinsloo try to seal a 28-22 bonus point on Saturday.
“Trinity came up, they're a really well-drilled side, they're obviously fit, lots of threats around the breakdown and lots of talent as well, we knew that would be a real challenge,” said Instonians forwards coach Jamie Kirk. “The weather obviously was a big factor in allowing the ball to be in place so long today, the boys worked really, really hard.
“For us, as a team, to come through that little patch in the middle where we were a bit inaccurate and actually finished a bit stronger there was really pleasing.
“There’s probably a middle part of the game or middle third of the game there where we got ourselves some level of dominance in the game, but the scoreline didn't necessarily reflect it.
“In that part, we maybe just weren't aligned in what we were doing and gave them a couple of opportunities to get back into the game.
“Then, all of a sudden, you're going into that last third of the game or last quarter of the game and you're under a bit of pressure.
“There's lots of learning in making sure that we're mentally switched on, but also we're really aligned in what we want to do when the ball's out of play in the next play.
“I thought towards the end there, after the last try, Bradley (McNamara) got the team together and made it really clear what the plan was.
"We were able to execute then, which I think is probably the most pleasing thing is that we've shown that we can do it.”
Inst had to defend their line in the closing stages to see out the victory.
“It was a full squad effort,” said Kirk. “We had lots of rotations, I think we only had one sub left there...it just shows you the work that both teams were going through during the game.
“Absolutely, there were things we had to work on, but there was lots of fight and lots of work-rate.
"A really nice ending for the game.”
Inst had the luxury of springing former Ulster prop Schalke van der Merwe.
“The whole pack are brilliant, the front row and the front row group that we have coming into scrum club and the wee WhatsApp group and everything...they're all so invested in it,” said Kirk. “There's great knowledge in the group as well, so it's brilliant.
"It's a really easy group to work with because their knowledge is so high but their buy-in is massive as well, so they're invested heavily in it.
“We've just got to keep improving now and keep building, there's obviously parts of our game that have moved on massively.”
Instonians are now just three points behind leaders Blackrock.
City of Armagh suffered a defeat at Naas, Ballynahinch remain bottom of 1A after a reversal at Clontarf.
Queen’s scored six tries at UL Boh’s in Division 2A, there were first defeats of the season for Ballymena and Dungannon.
Malone are three points clear at the top of Division 2B North following a bonus point derby win over Clogher Valley.
There were wins for Banbridge, Enniskillen and Rainey.