Injury time score beats Wicklow
Wicklow Selection 20 St Marys RFC 24
Wicklow continued their build up to competitive rugby with a good run out against a strong St Marys RFC side at Ashtown lane on Saturday. The game was played in 4 quarters of twenty minutes each and Wicklow used the game to give both Firsts and Seconds squads a run out. Despite the stop start nature of the game it proved to be an entertaining fixture with lots of quality from both sides.
St Marys started much the stronger and were rewarded with two good tries. Neither score was converted but the Dublin side lead 10 – 0
Wicklow stormed back with three well taken scores. The first by hooker Sean O’Brien who burst through several would be tacklers to score an outstanding try. The second came from Ronan Hurley and the third was a well executed back row move with Liam Fenton combining with Chris Sillery who burst over to score in the corner. None of the three tries were converted but Wicklow lead 15 – 10.
This was a quality St Marys side crammed full of former schools players and they were stung into action. They got over for their third try of the afternoon which they converted to lead 17 – 15.
Wicklow responded well. A penalty gave them a lineout on the 22. A well taken lineout was taken down and the resultant maul was driven 20 metres towards the St Marys line. When the ball was recycled it was moved wide and Allen Byrne Jr dived over in the corner to score Wicklows fourth try. The conversion fell short but Wicklow lead 20 – 17 with ten minutes to go.
Deep into injury time following a period of concerted pressure, St Marys got over for the decisive score with the last play of the game. The try was converted leaving the final score at 24 – 17.
Wicklow will have been disappointed for failing to close out the game against this talented side. They will however take a lot of positives out of the game. It was a good run out for both squads with a number of playersBest for Wicklow were Mark Higgins, , Allen Byrne, Noel Greene, Bull Jameson and Chris Sillery. Congratulations also to Dean Leonard, Niall Doylewho made their senior debuts and both acquitted themselves very well.
Next weekend things get serious on Sunday September 11th with the arrival of Kilkenny 1sts and 2nds to play in the first competitive game of the season in the South East League. Kilkenny are up and running with a win over Wexford and will be a real test for this Wicklow side. Kick off for the seconds is at 1.30 and 3pm for the firsts.
Admission is free as Wicklow are holding an open day in an effort to attract new members and players. Anyone who is interested in joining the club is welcome to come along on the day. The club will be taking registrations for new youths and mini players as well as registering interest in next seasons Summer Tag competition. For Details of any of these aspects contact Stephen Clarke on 087 2051659
Wicklows Squad:, David Quinn S O’Brien, P Jameson, Simon Norton, Noel Green Niall Higgins, Liam Fenton, Liam Hughes, Barry Hurley, Mark Higgins, Dennis Higgins, R Hurley, A Byrne, C Sillery, Paul Hodgkinson, Dean Leonard, Niall Doyle, Eanna Kileen, J Watchorn, T O’Donovan, N Kearney, B Armstrong, C McKeown, D Acres,
