Metro 9 Final – Old Wesley 30 AIB 7
Old Wesley 5th outscored AIB by 4 tries to 1 to win Metro Division 9 and gain promotion for next season
Played in ideal conditions Old Wesley were on the scoreboard after just 3 minutes with a penalty goal by Sean Balance. AIB responded immediately putting the Wesley defence under pressure for the bones of 10 minutes. However Wesley weathered the storm and were then able to get their own back by putting the opposition under pressure. After a number of attempts Rob Fitzgerald eventually got in in the corner for a try to give Wesley an 8 nil lead. Sam Pollock nearly got in for a second try but was bundled into touch. A promising break by AIB failed to capitalise on a 3 to 2 overlap and eventually came unstuck when they were penalised for a ruck infringement leaving Wesley 8 nil ahead at the half time break.
Wesley started the second half the livelier and were starting to get an edge on the opposition. A series of penalties and scrums inside the opposition 22 frustratingly came to nothing. Then a line out steal by Eric Parfrey was carried on well eventually resulting in a try by captain Sam Pollock which was converted by Balance. A neat cross kick by AIB was nipped in the bud by Wesley and the opposition were starting to run out of chances. With the match now entering the final quarter Old Wesley were starting to stamp their authority on matters. The opposition were on the back foot and Wesley were running riot. Then a try by David Priestman and it was game over. Amazingly the opposition found a second wind and with 12 minutes to go crossed for a try which was converted to make it 20-7 to Old Wesley. But their comeback was short lived. Priestman was at the centre of things virtually straight from the kick off when he took a pass from Paul BK, handed off the tackler and crossed for his second try. Balance converted and just short of full time and to rub salt in the wound he slotted a neat drop goal to put the match out of sight for the visitors.
So after a number of years knocking on the door the 5ths won the championship and are promoted for next season. A job well done.
