| 14/03/2009 | 1:00p.m. | League | St. Marys J4 XV | 36 – 22 | Old Wesley | Home |
St Mary’s College J4 V Old Wesley J4
36 22
The J4’s completed their pool games unbeaten with a 36-22 win over rivals Old Wesley in the club last Saturday.
On a great day for rugby, Wesley began the match playing with the wind towards the road end and crossed for an early try close to the posts. The kick was missed and this became a theme for Wesley. Any thoughts that Mary’s heads might drop having conceded an early try to the team that ended both our league and cup hopes last season were quickly banished as the lads responded quickly with coach Eamon Moran crashing over from close range. Ted slotted the points and we were ahead and remained so for the rest of the game.
Wesley responded but were held up over the line twice when they thought they’d surely score. All 15 men in blue but especially the pack from 1-8 were in fantastic form in the first 40 minutes and put their bodies on the line. Further first-half tries from centre Darragh O’Neill, free-scoring winger Nick Cunningham and dynamic loosehead prop Alan “Boom Boom” Godfrey (a literally unbelievable run-in from halfway after picking off a loose Wesley pass) put us in a commanding position at half time.
Mary’s dropped off the pace a little in the second half and Wesley managed to take advantage of some lax tackling for a few scores, although their kicker had left his kicking boots at home. Mary’s still managed further tries from skipper Teddy Moran and full back Paul Whyte (who now departs for Australia, a victim of the recession and the drop in Don Johnson lookalike bookings) sealed a good win and maintained our unbeaten record this season.
We move on to a league quarterfinal against Old Belvedere at Templeville on Saturday at 1.00. All support would be appreciated as we face last years winners who have emerged from a very tough pool.
15. Paul Whyte 14. Nick Cunningham 13. Darragh O’Neill 12. Paul Moran 11. Jack Ardagh 10. Teddy Moran 9. Ross Wynne 8. Padraig Nestor 7. Andy McCarthy 6. Phil Conway (Tim Henderson) 5. Joe Doddy 4. John Twomey 3. Ross Kelly 2. Eamon Moran 1. Alan Godfrey