Old Wesley v Wanderers J2 League. Match Report.
22/02/2008
J2 League(A Team)
Old Wesley 0 Wanderers 10
Wanderers made the short trip to Donnybrook to take on Old Wesley and came out on top in a hard fought and physical encounter. The team opened well with the forwards winning some good ball up front and the backs running with great effect. The early possession soon paid off with Brian McFadden scoring in the corner following a ruck close to the Old Wesley line. This try wasn’t converted but it gave Wanderers a 5-0 lead.
More good work from the pack soon gave the backs another chance which allowed Brian McFadden to score his second try, which he converted himself to bring the score to 10-0 . Wesley were threatening on many occasions with Wanderers struggling to get to grips with their lineout but dogged defence kept the score to 10-0 to Wanderers at the break.
Wesley came back strongly in the second half but strong defence kept the Donnybrook team away from the danger zone, with the majority of the play taking place on the half way line whilst the Wanderers pack now started to get to grips with the Wesley lineout.
Wanderers had chances to extend their lead but turned ball over near the Wesley line through not releasing and slow support to the ball carrier. The last 10 minutes was played out in the Wesley half , with Brian Hartnett carrying to great effect but there were no more scores with the game finishing 10-0
Best for Wanderers were Brian McFadden, James Miley, Ray Maguire and Enda Kelliher in the backs, whilst the back row of Bill o Meara , Eoghan Kenny and William Martin Smith were outstanding in defence and attack .
Coaches comment: A hard fought win, as was the previous match. Lot of positives, backs ran well, the team defended very well against a team who were very dangerous on the break, the packs rucking was satisfactory and the back row played very well as a unit. Equally we have a lot to work on, support play, and the set piece in particular, as more challenges lie ahead.
Junior Friendly
Bective V Wanderers , Donnybrook , back pitch.
Bective and Wanderers, using almost exclusively (B)J4 players, with no games the weekend, played out a entertaining match on the back pitch of Donnybrook on Friday under lights. By agreement, there was no kicking at goal when penalties were conceded, rather both teams taking the lineout or scrum and going for tries.
This resulted in a entertaining and fast flowing game with both teams entering into the spirit of the occasion and running everything, whilst there was liberal use of replacements. It also gave both teams a opportunity to experiment with playing certain players in different positions.
Overall it was a worthwhile exercise, which for the record, Wanderers sneaking a win , and all credit and many thanks to Bective for facilitating the fixture and opening the club bar for both teams afterwards.