J1 XV v Old Wesley (A) by D. O’Brien 05.03.2017

Old Wesley RFC J1 V St Mary’s College RFC J1

25 15

Metro League 1

Donnybrook

Sunday 5th March 2017.

Overall

Donnybrook seemed bleak, as a cold hard wind swept down the pitch. It was one that country folk often call a lazy wind, finding it easier to go through you than around you. It made it difficult for the dozen or so spectators present; and wingers.

It was a lively game but riddled with errors. Maybe it was the unfamiliar G4 pitch that made it difficult for the St Marys’ lads, but certainly with what was a strong team to view, somewhat better ball handling and decision making would have been expected. That lazy wind was with the Marys lads in the first half, but sadly once again we used it scarcely at all. Yet we did end up the half ahead 10-15. In the second half Old Wesley did make better use of the wind and frequently when the visitors worked their way up and were in a strong attacking position, a loose ball would be scooped up by a Wesley player who would put it right back down again, this and a stronger sense of urgency were the differences between the two teams.

It was good to see Mark Falllon getting back, however on the hour mark he strained a hamstring and had to withdraw. It was a pity, as he had been prominent. Another withdrawal was influential captain Peter Starrett, he having to leave the field mid first half, with muscle spasm. Another returnee, mighty Mark Donnellan, remarkably lasted the entire game and was undoubtedly one of the better players. His fellow backrower, Ethan Conroy also did well. Others who did well were the halfbacks, and hooker Stephen O’Brien. It was interesting to see Gus Jones at 12, where he certainly did not seem to out of position and he made a couple of strong breaks.

Scoring

After seven minutes a well worked maul, following a penalty to the corner, gave Hugo Diepman a try and Matt Timmons converted it from wide out. 0 -7.

On 16 minutes, a winger’s try made it 5 – 7 and another OW try on 22 minutes saw the score become 10 7. A St Marys’ penalty moved the score to 10-10 and into injury time Cathal Ryan picked up a loose ball on the OW 22 and ran hard and straight to score a nice try. Half Time it was 10-15.

The second half, within two minutes OW had equalised with a try from a blind side break, 15-15. A cross kick, on 45 minutes, not dealt with by defence and gave a OW winger a chance to hack over and dive, 22- 15 And on 75 minutes a very fine drop kick rescued from a ball knocked off the kicking tee by the wind (at a penalty) was the final score. 25-15.

D O’Brien.

Team (Rolling replacements)
15 C Murphy, 14 J Clarke, 13 M Joyce, 12 G Jones, 11C V Deegan, 10 M Tymmons , 9 B Hoey, 8 M Donnellan 7 E Conroy, 6 M Fallon, 5 H Diepman, 4 P Starrett (Capt), 3 C Ryan, 2 S O’Brien, 1 R Gillen, L Moran, C Mc Donnell, D McGill, R McPhillips, J Dilger.