J3
12/04/2007
J3 “A” Cup Second Round, Wanderers 27 Barnhall 5
Wanderers qualified for the cup semi final after a very tough and bruising encounter with a strong Barnhall outfit in Merrion Road on Tuesday.
It was always clear that Barnhall would be a very tough opponent and their intentions was evident well in advance, when nearly their entire team were in Merrion Road at 5.00 , notable as this was a full 1 hour 30 minutes before kick off , and especially considering work commitments and traffic etc .
Wanderers started well, and took the game to their opponents and opened up a lead when Brian McFadden kicked a penalty to take a 3-0 lead. This was followed up by a try from Kieran Daly following a lineout close to the Barnhall line which was not converted .
Wanderers pack was putting the heat on their opponents in the set pieces, with the effect that Barnhall were getting ball under pressure , which was a good thing from Wanderers viewpoint, as Barnhall were looking to move the ball wide at nearly every opportunity and looked dangerous when doing so.
Thankfully the Wanderers backs were outstanding in defence, putting their opposite number under pressure and rarely missing a tackle.
Wanderers stretched their lead when following some excellent work down the right by Mike Flanagan and Simon Kelly, Brian McFadden crossed for a converted try in the corner to stretch the lead to 15-0. Barnhall came back again but excellent defence kept them out and they missed their only real scoring opportunity when they narrowly missed a penalty in front of the posts.
Wanderers scored a third try just before half time when they took the brave decision to take a scrum under the Barnhall posts rather than accept the kick at goal , and following some good play ,Bill o Meara went over in front of the posts for a converted try to bring the score to 22-0 at the half .
At half time the team talk was about not defending our lead ,rather to start as if the match “0-0”, and that our defence and discipline would have to be top class as Barnhall would be resorting to running nearly everything , and using their running ability to try and claw back tries. So it proved in the second half with Barnhall throwing the proverbial “kitchen sink” at Wanderers .
However the Wanderers pack kept the pressure on at the set piece ,ensuring that what ball Barnhall did get was never clean, and when Barnhall backs did get the ball wide, the Wanderers backs continued to defend outstandingly. All through the half the Wanderers pack continued to attack their opponents at every encounter, whilst in the backs Enda Kelliher and Dave o Meara varied their tactics , keeping Barnhall guessing.
Barnhall did eventually score deep in the second half when following some great handling their winger went over for a unconverted try. Wanderers scored their fourth try when following a intelligent kick through by Brian McFadden , centre Alan Wrafter was on hand to touch down .
Final score Wanderers 27 Barnhall 5
Coaches Comment:
Excellent team performance, all of the key points that we outlined before the match were met, the entire team played well in all aspects of the game, and the required result and objective was achieved. Again as it was a Team performance , it would be unfair to single any one player out.
We now play Stillorgan in the semi final. Stillorgan will be a very tough opponent , as they have a very strong pack and a very dangerous backline and will be out for revenge after our league encounter.
