J1 XV v Wanderers (H) by D. O’Brien 21.10.2018

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Wanderers RFC J1 V St Mary’s College RFC J1

18 26

Metro League 2

Aviva Stadium

Sunday 21st October 2018

Overall

It made a nice novelty playing at the Aviva, even if it was the all-weather, synthetic pitch of 4G variety, a big improvement on the recently replaced one, which was quite brutal on the body. Although novelty it was, it took a great deal of the first half for the Marys’ lads to acclimatise to it and so it was not until 35 minutes, Christian Michelin, on for injured Dave O’Halloran and who was ever eager on the wing, scored a neat try, and started the ball rolling, or maybe rather steadied it! Then, in first half injury time, promising scrumhalf Conor Fitzpatrick, who had a sharp game, slipped over for an unconverted try

It was pretty topsy-turvy game with lots of errors on both sides, but entertaining for all that. Marys were unlucky to lose valuable fullback Dave O’Halloran early in the game. In the pack, Liam Curran, James Ringland and Paudge Dundon worked hard and behind the scrum, the halves, particularly in the second half, controlled the game generally. Mathew Timmons, who captained the side well, will be happy with the day’s work. . Tim Mc Mahon looked a quality player, threatened ever, and showed his class with an excellent break for the last try. That last try gave the visitors four tries and a bonus point. The five points will be welcome for the team, Coach Tom, managers Gareth, Ger and Paul; and indeed watching DoR, Alan.

Wanderers looked at home (which they were) on the plastic pitch and put up a strong challenge right through, in fact it was neck and neck all the second half with the home side bubbling for the last ten minutes with extreme effort to overhaul the visitors; falling just short. So, it was a good exercise for both teams.

For the first time in several seasons, the J1s are starting to form a core group of motivated players and it augurs well for the season. It is most important for the first team and the club that there is a strong, stable J1 side.

D O’Brien

Team

15 D O’Halloran, 14 E Clynes, 13 T McMahon, 12 S McCahill, 11 C Rudd, 11 M Timmons, 9 C Fitzpatrick, 8 D Lyons, 7 J Ringland, 6 M Ridgeway, 5 L Curran, 4 H Diepman, 3 P Dundon, 2 R Fanning, 1 K Mannion. C Kane, , A Mooney, G Masterson, E Conroy, C Michelin.