J4 XV v Old Wesley (H) 04.12.2015
Our J4s hosted Old Wesley on Friday Night under lights in the Metro League Section 6.
Not alone did we have to compete with the leagues only unbeaten team but also with Storm Desmond.
Old Wesley started quickly with their pick and go tactics, bringing their big pack into the game. They scored first, but missed the conversion .
We still were coping with conditions when Old Wesley converted a penalty in front of the posts.The score after 15 mins was 8-0 to Wesley.
Then collectively we started to play with our own pick and goes . Our loose head prop from America Taylor Berliant recently celebrated thanksgiving day ,but we were thanking him after he drove over the line to get our 1st score , converted by James Bourke close to the posts. Score after 20min 8-7 Wesley.
With us now raising our game everyone got stuck in .We scored next from a reverse pass from Richard Pyne to his centre partner Michael Daly who broke their defenders to score under the posts . Again converted by James Bourke. Score now 14-8 to us.
After controlling the kick off we again attacked with superb rucking to see the backs go left putting Peter Daly in at the corner.
James Bourke again stood up and unbelievably converted from the touch line , not alone a difficult kick but the wind so strong it was surreal.
We came together at half time leading 21-8 knowing we would all have to stand up and fight to win this game.
And we did , keeping them scoreless in the second half was such an achievement.
They tried relentlessly to score but we bravely kept them out. Everyman made their tackles putting them back every time.
We put them under pressure, forcing them to make mistakes.
This was a great team performance and gives belief to the team that they can beat anyone now. Result 21-8.