AIL 1B – Highfield 17 Old Wesley 21
Old Wesley travelled to Woodleigh Park, Cork and came away with a gritty and hard-earned 21–17 victory over Highfield, extending their positive run in Division 1B.
Playing down the hill in the first half, Wesley struggled initially to generate rhythm, with early phases marked by handling errors and heavy Highfield pressure. But after 25 minutes, the breakthrough arrived. Tom Larke, who had been probing intelligently from the backfield, spotted a seam, backed himself, and sliced through under the posts. He added the conversion for a 7–0 lead. Highfield spent much of the remainder of the half hammering the Wesley line through their maul and scrum, but superb defensive sets from the pack—featuring big moments from Charlie Meagher, Billy Corrigan, and Pat McBarron—ensured the visitors reached the interval with their advantage intact.
The second half began with another wave of Highfield pressure, and this time the home side finally crossed, levelling the match at 7–7. With momentum swinging, Wesley needed a spark, and once again it came from Larke. The fullback broke from deep, surging through a fractured defensive line carrying Wesley into the Highfield 22. From there, patient multi-phase carries from the forwards set the platform until Niall Carroll moved the ball wide, releasing Paidi Farrell on the left wing. Farrell finished brilliantly, and Larke added the extras, restoring Wesley’s lead at 14–7.
With fifteen minutes left, Wesley appeared in control, but Highfield narrowed the gap to 14–10 with a penalty, turning the final stages into a tense arm wrestle. Wesley responded with composure, kicking to the corner after earning a penalty of their own. The maul surged forward, and second rower Shane Cawley powered over to push the gap to 21–10. But Highfield would not go quietly, crossing in the final minutes to make it 21–17, but Wesley closed out the remaining phases with discipline, denying the hosts any chance of a late steal and securing a crucial away win.
Click here for photos by Ken Richardson
Scorers: Tries: Tom Larke, Paidi Farrell, Shane Cawley; Cons: Tom Larke 3
Team: Tom Larke; Paidi Farrell, Ethan Black, Eoin Deegan, Jules Fenelon; Niall Carroll, Evan Kenny; Jamie Clark, Kieran O’Shea (capt), Kian Regan, Billy Corrigan, Shane Cawley, Luke O’Connor, Charlie Meagher, Pat McBarron. Replacements: Rian Handley, Adam Watchorn, Dan Campbell, Liam O’Neill, Ewan Watson, Jarrod Homan.
