J4
22/11/2007
J4 “B” League Lansdowne 3 Wanderers 20
After a postponed match last week the players and coaches were looking forward this local derby. In recent years it would be fair to say Wanderers have faired less well in these encounters and the emphasis in training had been on doing the club, and the effort put in by all thus far, justice.
The match itself was a hard fought encounter. Credit must go to both sides for the discipline shown with plenty of hard, but fair, tackles in evidence. Wanderer’s won the toss and elected to play into the wind and horizontal rain in the first half. Lansdowne started the game the stronger clearly trying to make a statement of intent in the first 10 mins and were soon 3-0 up after a converted penalty. Wanderers regrouped and stood up to some intense Lansdowne pressure for the 1st half, barely getting out of their own half. The extremely wet and windy conditions did neither side any favours but the commitment was certainly there.
The second half saw an immediate reverse of fortunes with Wanderers quickly racing into a 10-3 lead following a Brain McFadden penalty and an Eoin Goulding try again converted by Brian. Lansdowne did not let their heads drop and came back strongly but a much improved defensive display by the back line meant they rarely broke the gain line and with the wind at our backs Wanderers were able to exert more authority and structure on the game. With an enforced substitution for Lansdowne the scrums were uncontested in the second half, prior to this honours were just about even with neither side able to show any definite superiority in this area of play. Another converted try followed with 20 minutes remaining by the effervescent Mr Treacy ducking/wiggling/writhing over from a scrum 5 metres out which was again, converted. The match was finished off in some style by Mr McFadden from the 10m with an improbable and greatly wind assisted drop goal to the great delight of our travelling support (up to 10 including subs!!!!)
Players of Note: All in all very difficult to name individual players but special mention Eoin G (how does someone with that low a centre of gravity move so swiftly), Steve C (Mr Reliable), Brian (even allowing for 2 kick offs straight into touch!!!), Barry B for tireless kicking and chasing and Rob Kilroy. This was a classic game of playing intelligently. Our defence still needs work but discipline was excellent and attitude before and during the game spot on.
Also special thanks to support from the sidelines. Your presence made a real difference on the day.
