Wanderers v Old Crescent Match Report.
20/11/2007
PRIDE IN THE LINE.
Pride in the Wanderers Clubrooms after a torrid match versus a tough Old Crescent that refused to give up, was kept at bay by a defence that remained intact showing a great pride in their line.
The 26-0 score line was not a clear indication of what was an entertaining match given the changeable weather conditions and a second half spent defending our line. We had the weather at our backs in the first half playing towards the clubrooms and knew the importance of attaining field position and showing patience once in possession of the ball.
The versatile Daithi Fitzgerald, who was pushed back to fullback after regular Damien Hunt didn’t make it through the warm-up with a shoulder problem, was a sharp shooter with the boot kicking penalties at 10 minute intervals after the 5th 15th and 25th minute to take us to a 9-0 lead.
Knowing we needed a good lead at the half with the weather threatening to deteriorate, we had to step up our game which was far too loose and fragmented and this meant we were guilty of presenting halfback Brendon O’Brien with disrupted and messy ball.
A new gear was found when Captain Bevan Cantrell decided to kick for touch from a kickable penalty. From a Paul Ryan lineout take, the pack finally got the upper hand with a strong rolling maul and a well deserved try to Captain Bevan taking the score to 16-0 with 5 minutes to the break.
Then with the assistance of a wind gust and our physio Siobhan we scored a second try 3 minutes later. When a box kick from Brendon O’Brien on our 10 metre line looked like landing just into touch, our subs bench yelled at Siobhan to look out, and with a jumping left footed step towards the side line the covering Old Crescent player, who could see the ball drifting out, must have thought Christmas had come early. But before he could say Ho, Ho, Ho,winger Paddy Brophy, who loves to chase kicks and steal tries, had robbed the ball that had just bounced in and sprinted 40 metres to score under the posts leaving Siobhan startled and Old Crescent stunned, down 23-0 and rueing the fact they had taken their eyes of the ball in more ways than one.
More was demanded at halftime knowing Crescent had already come back from a substantial halftime deficit in a prior AIL match this season. Discipline and smart basic rugby was needed knowing that any little errors would get punished playing into the teeth of the weather.
Old Crescent come out firing but were extinguished from a fired up Wanderers defence determined not to allow them back into the match. We fought our way out of the half and with 25 to go Fitzgerald gave us further breathing space with another well taken penalty goal.
So much effort went into the remainder of the game from both sides but no more points were registered as every attacking foray was negated by the collective will of our line determined to keep it clean.
The full-time whistle brought happiness that we had secured our second victory in a fortnight and the growing belief that we can more than compete in our new Division.
Post-match was time for many friends and family to reunite and enjoy the warmer surrounds of the glowing Clubhouse. The Pink Party later kicked off in the newly developed hall (or for some who were around on the night, the old pig house). What a night with good music and a great crowd obsessed with drinking the bar dry and having a good old time.
After an arduous four matches on the trot start to the season it’s a well earned week off for the 1st team. Happy with a 50% record after our tough start and more aware of what’s needed to attain more successes over the remainder of the season.
The J1s have an important match against Clontarf under lights on the north side this Friday night.
We start our three week AIL run into Christmas with a difficult away assignment against last season’s promotion buddies Balynahinch on Saturday the 2nd December.
Plenty more hard work is needed before we can enjoy our Christmas break see you all in December.
Andrew Spraggon
Director of Rugby/Senior Coach
