Sunday the 2nd of March saw the final weekend of action in the JP Fanagan Pennant League. Going into the weekend only Wanderers and Blackrock College RFC had a chance to capture the championship. Wanderers were playing first, and knew a bonus point victory against UCD would secure the title.
The game kicked off with Wanderers in the ascendancy but they failed to capitalize on their early pressure and came away from a 10 minute period with an extra man without any points on the scoreboard. Wanderers had to wait until the 25th minute for their opening score when centre Rory Pratt chipped ahead and gathered the ball to cross the whitewash. A quick penalty reply from UCD was followed by another onslaught from the Wanderers pack, leading to another try from Pratt. The halftime score was 12 – 3.
The opening period of the 2nd half would indeed see Wanderers get the bonus point, as first wing Luke Halpin crossed, after another fine line break by Pratt, then followed by more individual brilliance from Pratt as he crossed for his sides decisive 4th try. UCD would battle back to grab their opening try of the game but the reply was immediate from Wanderers. A sliced kick from Phil Soden, amazingly was recovered by Pratt who rounded the fullback and touched down for his 4th try. Phil Soden grabbed a brace of tries for himself, including fielding and grounding a beautifully weighted cross-field kick from flyhalf Gareth Redmond. UCD would battle their way back into the game and claim a number of consolation scores, leaving the end score 41 – 28 to Wanderers.
The later match of the day in which Blackrock defeated Newbridge was immaterial despite Blackrock also picking up the bonus point in 10 – 32 victory
