Metro League Division 1 – Old Wesley 2XV 18 – Old Belvedere 15
(24th Sept) Old Wesleys’ challenge of getting that first win became a more difficult one just prior to kick off when Adam Kennedy had to withdraw through injury and having to start with two players who had played 50 minutes plus in the 1st Teams victory over Dolphin. Wesley did however manage to produce a dogged and yet skilful display of rugby to defeat local rivals Old Belvedere. The larger Old Belvedere pack dominated in the tight in the earlier stages which saw Old Wesley go down 9 nil but the Wesley side grew into the game and began playing with confidence and began to stretch the opposition out wide. This yielded two penalties from Greg Hawe which made the half time score 12 -6.
Wesley continued to move the Belvo pack around the park in the second half which resulted in Jack Byrne escaping in the space on the flanks which he finished in style by beating two defenders and dotting down beside the posts. Greg Hawe converted to put Wesley in front but this didn’t last long as Belvo kicked another 3points to edge them in front 15-13. The defining score then came with just under 20 minutes left when Luke De Renzy began a great team try with a break from within his own half and with the ball being transferred through a number of hands and two phases later, Micheal Fitzgibbon finished in the corner.
Belvo nearly snatched it at the death but knocked on over the try line. Showing great character the Wesley lads managed to hold out and finish a super day of rugby for the club as a whole.