Wanderers Under 20's v Blackrock Match Report.
18/01/2008
Wanderers U20 V Blackrock U20 Match Report Patience the Key
Patience was the key for Wanderers as they put league leaders Blackrock to the sword, in a top of the table clash for the U20s. The final result showed an impressive 40-15 winning margin, securing Wanderers the bonus point aswell.
Over a month had passed since the U20s last played, beating DLSP 16-14 before Christmas. The whole squad were keen to build on the result and knew the league could be over if they lost to Blackrock. Blackrock themselves, were looking to solidify there place on top of the league and maintain there unbeaten record this season.
The game started much as expected, with both teams feeling each other out. Blackrock dominated the early exchanges, playing the ball into the corners through their influential flyhalf Rob Keogh. It was he who gave Blackrock a 0-3 advantage with a penalty in the 12th minute. The next 10 minutes would see Wanderers take control and dominate territory thanks to the boot of their No. 10 Gareth Redmond and after a penalty kicked to the corner, the Wanderers would get a chance to use their maul. After a superbly taken lineout by star lock Michael Kevaney, the resulting drive saw Captain Trevor Cloak ground the ball for his 1st try of the season, leaving the scoreline Wanderers 5 Blackrock 3. The half was not over yet and Blackrock steadily made their way towards the Wanderers goal line and had a number of successive scrums just five yards out. Despite Wanderers having a number of chances to clear the ball, they couldn’t and Blackrock scored, to leave a score of 5 – 10 at the break.
Early into the 2nd Half things got worse for Wanderers as two backrow players came off injured (adding to three backrows unavailable form the start), and then 10 minutes Blacrock scored a well worked try to leave the score 5 – 15 to Rock’. Form then on it was one way traffic to the Wanderers. Starting with a superb try from fullback Peter Lynn and then a penalty from scrumhalf Conal MacMahon left the Wanderers trailing by two points with 10 minutes to go.
The last 10 minutes will be remembered by all as Wanderers ran in four tries. Two from lock Rob Ennis, and one a piece from centre Patrick Larchet and his centre partner and the season leading try scorer Rory Pratt.
This was a massive stepping stone for the team, that now lie third in the league two points behind Blacrock with a game in hand.
