19.01.2019 1st XV V Old Wesley RFC

1^st XV V Old Wesley RFC – AIL by D. O’Brien 19/01/2019

St Mary’s College RFC V Old Wesley RFC

15 41

UB AIL Division 1B

Templeville Road

Saturday 19th January 2019

Overall

Before the game a minute’s silence was observed for one of our great Mary’s men, John Carvill, who died earlier in the week.

Ululation and dejection greeted the final whistle of the first AIL game of the New Year at Templeville Road. The score line required little mathematical elucidation to explain the mood of the home supporters and team. Old Wesley quite simply won handsomely. From the start to finish the visitors controlled possession and joyously ran from all over the pitch. With the exception of a short period nearing the end of the game St Marys’ performance was not near the same level. Many were hoping for a surge of performance, when up to three minutes before half time the score was 3-3, then a yellow card for Marys followed by two quick converted tries by Wesley, ended the already pretty forlorn hopes harboured.

It is hard to explain the home team’s performance. Eventually two tries (H Conway and Paudge Dundon) were scored by the home team; little and late! The dominant performance of the scrum was pleasing and once again the front row in particular did their job well. Loose head prop Tommer O’Reilly, who has been included in the Club International squad, worked hard and he received the SoftCo MoM award.

We have now gone from top to seventh on the table, but in this unpredictable league we are three points only behind top team Malone. Next Saturday we travel north to face Banbridge who are one point ahead. Having beaten Banbridge at Templeville Road 28-7, one might be tempted to feel confident but with the nature of 1B, there is no predictability.

Remember however, this team has been full of excitement and endeavour, so please do not abandon them. It is only a little over 1hour 35 minutes to Banbridge so make the effort and give the team the backing and boost they need.

Scoring

26 mins 0-3, 31-mins 3-3, 37 mins 3-10, 41 mins 3-17.

45 mins 3-24, 48 mins 3-31, 58 mins 3-34, 66 mins 3-41, 70 mins 10-41, 76 mins15-41.

Final Score 15-41.

D O’Brien

Team (Rolling Replacements X12)

15 D Fanagan, 14, C Kennedy, 13Myles Carey, 12 M O’Driscoll (Capt) 11 R Shields, 10 C Dean, 9 P O’Driscoll, 8 M Fallon, 7 D Aspil, 6 D Mc Donnell, 5 H Diepman, 4 L Corcoran, 3 M McCormack, 2 R Halpin, 1 T O’Reilly, P Dundon, D Lyons , C Foley, H Conway, T McMahon.