Under 20's v Coolmine Match Report.
29/01/2008
Back To Basics
Wanderers U20 ground out a hard fought and well earned victory against a resilient and well-organized Coolmine, in their own back yard. It was a case of getting back to basics for Wanderers after a very poor display in beating Bective the previous week. The final score read 6 – 12 to Wanderers and a step closer to the league title.
Wanderers were keen to return to form after the labored Bective victory. A simple and controlled style of play was evident from the start and immediately put Wanderers in the ascendancy. Astute kicking from Wanderers flyhalf Gareth Redmond, aided by fine passing from returning number 9 Conal MacMahon ensured a strong territorial advantage to the Wanderers. The foundation had been built through persistent and threatening carries from No. 8 Nico Reynolds and inside centre Patrick Larchet and decent set-piece work from the forwards, in particular Rob Ennis’s lineout play. Despite failing to convert a number of earlier opportunities the pressure was constant from Wanderers, with great link play coming from top try scorer Rory Pratt and right wing Darragh Sheehan. After successive phases in the Coolmine twenty-two, a very small narrow side was utilized allowing Phil Soden starting his 1st game at fullback to bag the opening score, the conversion was missed. The game continued in much the same mode, with Coolmine defending courageously against numerous attacks. After a rued penalty miss, Wanderers maintained the pressure and scored in the opposite corner to their 1st try, with left wing Luke Halpin getting the touchdown. Gareth Redmond converted superbly from the touchline. Elements of the last week’s game began to creep in, as Wanderers took their foot off the pedal. After two well-converted penalty goals the game was still very much on at the break, at 6 – 12 to Wanderers.
The 2nd half was a low-key affair with neither team looking particularly cohesive. In truth it was Coolmine that held the balance of play due to a lack of composure from Wanderers and worrying increase of unforced errors. Despite Coolmine having a number of key attacking positions, Wanderers were defiant and conjured together a number of opportunities themselves. Coolmine began to seriously compete at the Wanderers lineout but could not capitalise on their dominance. Relief was the most dominant emotion at the final whistle, as Coolmine were in touching distance.
Wanderers remain top of the table for the 2nd week in a row and will probably be required to win all of their remaining 4 games, perhaps picking up a couple of bonus points on the way, in order to secure the league title.
