All Ireland League – Old Wesley 40 – Buccaneers 10
Old Wesley did everything possible beating Buccaneers with a bonus point win to keep their promotion chances alive.
It was obvious from the start that Wesley were up for this match as they looked to attack from every opportunity. After 8 minutes they were on the scoreboard with a try by Will Fay after a quick tap from a line out free. Minutes later a run by James O’Donovan, taken on by Dom Maclean gained good territory. From recycled ball a speculative cross kick by Ian Cassidy looked to find Tommy O’Callaghan, but it was marked by a Buccaneers player. Buccs responded gaining a line out inside the Wesley 22, but the ball was stolen allowing the escape.
O’Donovan was on hand again soon after with a fine break. He passed to Sam Pim who made more ground before passing to Maclean who charged in to score try number two. Cassidy converted for a 12-nil lead. Just three minutes later Wesley were on the scoreboard again when Alex Molloy showed a bit of magic, baffling the opposition to score under the posts. Cassidy again converted. Ten minutes later a perfectly placed kick earned Old Wesley a 50/22 line out. The opposition didn’t like the decision resulting in a penalty for lip. Wesley opted for a scrum ten metres out. The gamble paid off. A neat pass by scrum half Gary Bradley found O’Callaghan coming in off the wing who got to within five metres of the line. The ball was recycled resulting in the bonus point try, scored by Cronan Gleeson.
The opposition were now seriously on the back foot and guilty of making handling and other errors. On such error was picked up by Nathan Randles who launched another attack from inside the Wesley half. Good inter-passing ensued resulting in Maclean crossing for his second try. To make matters worse for Buccs they then received a yellow card and at half time Old Wesley comprehensively led 33 nil.
Although still down to 14 men Buccaneers started the second half with greater enthusiasm. Some strong attacks had Wesley under pressure, but it ended with a Wesley line out and a relieving kick down field. Then on 6 minutes Wesley extended their lead after a break down the wing by Randles. He passed to Molloy who once again evaded the defence to score try number six. Minutes later a carbon copy move by Randles and Molloy looked like another try was on the cards, but this time Wesley were penalised for not releasing,
A penalty and yellow card against O’Donovan for a high tackle allowed Buccaneers to gain good territory, and two minutes later, after sustained pressure, Buccs eventually got on the scoreboard with their first try. After the restart Wesley got back into opposition territory and Randles looked to be in for a try, only for the pass to be deemed forward. Then with less than five minutes remaining Buccs crossed for another try, however the result was in no doubt and soon after the referee blew for full time.
Old Wesley still lie 5th in the league. There are a number of permutations on the table, but in reality, to reach the playoffs Old Wesley need to win the last match against Naas and rely on Buccaneers losing.
Scorers: Will Fay, try; Dom Maclean, 2 tries, Cronan Gleeson, try, Alex Molloy, 2 tries, Ian Cassidy, 5 cons.
Team: Alex Molloy, Nathan Randles, Eoin Deegan, James O’Donovan, Tommy O’Callaghan, Ian Cassidy, Gary Bradley, Harry Noonan, Howard Noonan, Cronan Gleeson, David Motyer, Iain McGann (capt), Will Fay, Dom Maclean, Sam Pim.
Replacements: Rob Loftus, Sam Kenny, Josh O’Hare, Keith Kavanagh, Eoin Monahan, David Poff.