AIL 1B – City of Armagh 0 Old Wesley 45
After 29 years Old Wesley are back in All Ireland League Division 1A after a resounding win over City of Armagh in the last league match of the season.
Right from kick off there was only going to be one winner as Old Wesley crossed for seven tries in arguably their best performance of the season. In fact even before kick off the odds looked in Wesley’s favour; their warm up oozed with fire and intent, and they received a huge cheer from their travelling supporters as they took the pitch, compared to the opposition’s muted welcome.
Old Wesley were in opposition territory from soon after kick off but could not capitalise. However, ten minutes in Charlie Hempenstall received a long pass then dodged a couple of tackles to score the first try of the match. Ten minutes later Wesley were in the opposition 22 once again and this time Eoin Deegan chose to take the direct root from 10 metres out as he ploughed through tackles for a try, converted by Tom Larke.
Old Wesley were now starting to look the better team in all aspects of the game; in particular line-outs, with Billy Corrigan causing havoc and stealing opposition line outs at will. Indeed Armagh’s cause was not helped by a high penalty count against them resulting in a yellow card. Then just short of half time Corrigan finished off a number of strong carries for the third try, converted again by Larke leaving the score 19 nil to Old Wesley at half time.
The key moment for Old Wesley came ten minutes into the second half. A pass from Niall Carroll found Ethan Black who from 20 metres out outpaced the defence to sprint in for the bonus point try. The game wasn’t over but even the home team supporters knew there was no way back for them.
Old Wesley continued to play with huge confidence and Armagh had run out of steam. Tom Larke increased his tally for the season (probably the highest points scorer in division 1B) with a brace of flamboyant tries. And in the last play of the match Ethan Black crossed for his second try.
The celebrations began and will, no doubt, last for a long time.
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Scorers: Tries: Charlie Hempenstall, Eoin Deegan, Billy Corrigan, Ethan Black 2, Tom Larke 2; Cons: Tom Larke 5
Team – Tom Larke; Jarrod Homan, Ethan Black, Eoin Deegan, Charlie Hempenstall; Niall Carroll, Evan Kenny; Jamie Clark, Stephen Smyth (capt), Ben Popplewell, Mahon Ronan, Billy Corrigan, Luke O’Connor, Cathal Kelly, Pat McBarron. Replacements: Kieran O’Shea, Kian Regan, Dan Campbell, Charlie Meagher, Andrew Doyle, Kristian Jensen.
