2nds Suffer Narrow Loss to UCD but Earn Valuable League Points
The 2nds lost to UCD by the narrowest of margins, 31-32 but earned two valuable bonus points which guarantee Old Wesley Metro League 1 status for next season. In a highly entertaining match that featured nine tries Old Wesley had the better fire power up front but the students compensated with a speedy and skilful back line.
The lead changed five times in the first half and Old Wesley trailed 14-22 at the break after tries by Mark Robinson and Victor Ball, converted by Adam Kennedy. UCD extended the lead to 29 points with a converted try 25 minutes into the second half before Old Wesley responded with a penalty try to bring it back to an 8 point game. A UCD penalty made it 21-32 before a finale that came within millimetres of a dramatic finish for Old Wesley. With the game in injury time the students were starting to tire and some great handling saw Alan Mathews cross for a try out wide. The crucial conversion came back off the post leaving a 6 point gap between the sides. From the kick off and in the last play Old Wesley gained possession and patiently and skilfully worked their way up the pitch, and in the fifth minute of injury time a perfectly timed pass by David Braithwaite allowed James Kelly cross for a try right in the corner. The small group of Old Wesley supporters held their breaths but Kennedy’s difficult conversion went wide.