Junior Rugby : J2”A” League –Malahide 0 Wanderers 49
01/11/2007
Junior Rugby : J2”A” League –Malahide 0 Wanderers 49
The above scoreline makes for very deceptive reading as one would imagine it was a very one sided match. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Malahide proved to be very tough and dogged opponents, particularly up front and the scoreline does not do their effort justice.
The first half was a very close contest with the two packs slugging it out and Wanderers backs failing to make any head way against some very tough tackling.
Wanderers eventually managed to score a try from Steve Duggan midway through the half following some good interplay between backs and forwards. Another score followed soon after from Donal o Sullivan after a lineout and quick ruck , whilst a penalty try was awarded on the stroke of half time .
This was a crucial score as it gave Wanderers some breathing room they didn’t deserve and was a blow for the home team.
The second half started with Wanderers increasing the pace of the game, keeping the ball away from the Malahide pack and spreading it wide at every opportunity. As a result the backs started to see some openings in the Malahide defence, which they proceeded to take full advantage of.
As the second half wore on, the tries started to come for the backs, with some of the tries being the result of some good attacking play whilst others were the result of some good fortune it has to be said.
By the final whistle the scoreline was what it was but it certainly didn’t reflect the nature and close contest of the game.
Scorers for Wanderers were John o Reilly, Bill o Meara, Donal o Sullivan, Robert McCarthy , Barrai Brennan, Steve Duggan (2) a drop goal from Paddy Crowe, and a penalty try , conversions from Enda Kelliher and Dave o Meara.
Best for Wanderers; unfair to single any one individual out, a good team performance with all the players and subs contributing to the result.
Coaches Comment:
A good performance, particularly from the backs, whilst the pack performed well against a tough opponents.
Wanderers next meet Old Wesley in Merrion Road on Saturday 3 November in what promises to be another very tough and hard fought encounter.