Junior Match Reports for Sat 12th January.
18/01/2008
J2”A” League Sat 12th Jan
Monkstown 7 Wanderers 15
Coming into this local derby, Wanderers knew that it was going to be a tough , bruising encounter . So it proved, with Monkstown proving very difficult opponents on the day. Wanderers started well in the opening minutes , camped in the Monkstown half and applying the pressure but failing to convert a couple of early penalties. The old proverb of failing to take your chances was soon proven again as Monkstown took advantage of a defensive mix up to score a try which they converted. Wanderers came back strongly and applied even more pressure on the Monkstown line but a combination of poor passing,. Dropped passes, and excellent defence kept Wanderers out . It wasn’t until close to half time that they scored thru Bill o Meara , following some good interplay with Enda Kelliher. The score at half time was 8-7 to Wanderers. The second half was more of the same, with Wanderers applying huge amounts of pressure but failing to break through . It wasn’t till mid way through the second half that Wanderers scored their second try thru flanker William Martin Smith following a lineout on the Monkstown 22. The remainder of the game was more of the same with Monkstown fighting hard to score whilst Wanderers defended well but failed to convert a number of chances, with the game finishing 15-7. Best for Wanderers in what was a workmanlike display were , Brian McFadden, Enda Kelliher and Dave o Meara in the backs, whilst all of the pack played well .
Coaches Comment: A tough game was on the cards and so it proved. It being the first game for nearly a month, it was expected that the team would be ring rusty and this definitely the case . Still, a win is a win, and the hard work will continue to enable this team to improve.
J4”B” League, Sat 12th Jan
Wanderers 7 Seapoint 0
Wanderers had a narrow and very close win over Seapoint at Merrion Road on Saturday . The match was a repeat of the previous league game, with Wanderers pack having the edge in the tight whilst Seapoint looked to run the ball wide at every opportunity. The Wanderers lineout worked well ,mainly through Donogh McDonough ,whilst the forwards carried effectively, making good ground and supplying good possession for the backs, but unfortunately the support play with backs , who looked dangerous every time they got the ball, often broke down. As a result, Wanderers failed to take full advantage and struggled to put points on the board. Wanderers did score just before half time when following a couple of quick rucks on the Seapoint line, centre John Hartnett scored , which was converted by Diarmuid Condon. The second half was equally closely fought with Seapoint fighting to score and Wanderers failing to convert their chances. Best for Wanderers were Harry Eustace ,Steve Campbell ,and Allan Molloy in the pack, and in the backs Diarmuid Condon , John Hartnett and Adam Redmond ran well.
The win keeps Wanderers 2nd in the league section , but they face a very tough match against Newbridge , away, next weekend . It’s a match they must win to stay 2nd and remain in the top two qualifying spots for the quarterfinal
