Purcell Cup – Old Wesley 44 Old Belvedere 12
Due to the 3rds final on the front pitch, the 20s faced Old Belvedere in dry but cold conditions on the back pitch in the Purcell Cup quarter final.
The game kicked off with Belvedere starting off the brighter of the two, however they were caught out after 4 minutes when Bill Corrigan intercepted on the Wesley 22 and finished under the posts to settle the early nerves. Cameron Watson converted. Pressure became relentless from Wesley in the next 15 minutes with Cormac Izzy and Dave Young carrying with intent. However, handling errors in the green zone let us down until 30 minutes in when Fionn O’Loughlin stepped two and handed Cameron Watson the ball to add to our lead, kick missed 12-0.
Towards the latter end of the half Wesley again continued to knock on Belvos door however were unable to get that last pass to hand. Eventually a penalty came for us in the 22 and we opted for the posts which Watson dispatched. Half time, 15-0.
Jake Brownell and Zane McClatchie Ombima came on for the 2nd half replacing Cormac Izzy and Luke Sweeney. McClatchie Ombima made an almost immediate impact crossing the white wash however the referee pulled it back for a forward pass. Wesley at this stage had gotten a firm grip on the game and finally began to assert their dominance when a ferocious Sam Kenny went over after a brilliant solo effort. 20-0 going into the final half an hour and Wesley began to go up the gears. Almost immediately after, Wesley found themselves in the Belvo 22 once again and Stephen Keane was at hand to score Wesley’s 4th. A 5th followed shortly after when Sam Kenny went over the line to score his second of the afternoon and it was 30-0 with 20 to go.
Wesley once again scored when Dave Young went on a textbook meandering run touching down under the posts. 37-0 with 10 to go. Old Belvedere however never gave in and went onto score with some exceptional play in the Wesley 22 finishing in the corner. 37-5. Wesley responded with some brilliant play from Captain Shane O’Hanrahan collecting the ball from deep in the Wesley half, passing to Dave Young who eventually got the ball to Fergus Noonan who ran in under the posts for try number 7. Cam Watson converted, 44-5. 2 to go and from the kick off Old Belvedere, to their credit, again attacked with aggression and intent scoring underneath the sticks with the last play of the match. Full time 44-12.
All in all, a successful day for the under 20s who have now notched their 15th win in a row in all competitions booking their place in the semi final of the Cup with a trip to Galwegians this Saturday.