19.11.2011 J4 XV v Wanderers (H)
| 19/11/2011 | 2.30pm | League | St. Marys J4 XV | 18 – 13 | Wanderers | Home |
St Marys 18 Wanderers 13
A nail biting finish saw the J4’s desperately defending our line as Wanderers lay siege in search of the try to pull them level and send them through to the Super 6. Wave after wave of pick and goes were somehow kept out and the defence held and then won a crucial turnover to secure the win and a spot in the Premier group of the league.
The game started at a hectic pace, the teams were going at it helter skelter. Wanderers initially had the better of the play but we slowly got a foothold in the game after Ted slotted a penalty to make it 3-0. Not long after we were awarded another penalty which was kicked to the corner. The catch and drive saw second row Joe Doddy emerged from the pile up with ball in hand to claim the first try of the match. It looked like it was going to be easy for the home side but Wanderers had other ideas and came back at us with everything they could muster. Two fine penalties from their 10 and one more from Ted saw the half time score 11-6.
The second half was a total reversal of the first and Wanderers dominated all the play as they pushed hard for scores. Mary’s were still in the dressing room as the pressure was piled on and somehow managed to hold the Wanderers attacks to within an inch of the line until the 60th minute when they got the try they richly deserved. A successful conversion saw them take the lead at 13-11 and they still did not relent in their surge for the line. Somehow on 70 minutes, after Teds stats had taken a bashing with three closely missed penalties, Richie Pyne emerged with the ball inside our 22 and broke a tackle to go 60 metres down field before off loading to supporting fullback Paul Whyte who added to last weeks hat trick by providing the pace to finish off the move. Both players had fantastic games and a mention has to go to Whytzer who managed no less than three try saving tackles in the one move underneath our own posts! As far as the match was concerned there was still time for Wanderers to camp out on the Mary’s line before the gladiatorial defensive efforts paid off and the ref blew the final whistle.
All in all, a fantastic performance which sees us through to face Wanderers (again), Belvo, Lansdowne and last seasons runners up Barnhall as well as this seasons run away leaders Greystones Away in the Premier Section Super 6.
1. Alan Godfrey 2. Tim D.H. Henderson 3. Eamon Moran 4. Joe Doddy 5. John Twomey 6. Rory O’Neill 7. Richie Pyne 8. Phil Conway 9. Ronan O’Donnell 10. Teddy Moran 11. Andrew Godfrey 12. Darragh O’Neill 13. Stephen Muldowney 14. Shane Cunningham 15. Paul Whyte
Sub -Fionan Henry