Played in falling light snow Old Wesley looked to have put their recent disappointing starts behind them against second placed in the table Terenure at Lakelands. However as the game went on their game started to collapse as they eventually ended up being comprehensively put to the sword.
For the first quarter it was honours even as both sides attempted to size each other up. Indeed Wesley showed the greater discipline forcing the opposition to concede a number of penalties. Barry McLoughlin opened the scoring with a penalty kick from 35 meters following a dangerous tackle before Terenure evened things up with a kick from in front of the posts. McLoughlin looked to be on target again with his next attempt but the ball hit the upright. But 30 minutes into the game Old Wesley’s early discipline started to let them down as they were dealt two yellow cards for separate incidents. Struggling with a shortage of players the pressure eventually became too much as they conceded a penalty try from a scrum infringement. Indeed the hosts came close a second try but were denied by a knock on.
By half time it was still anyone’s game and although trailing 3-10 Old Wesley’s hopes were high, backed up by the possession stats, a better penalty count and being now back to 15 players. Indeed McLoughlin narrowed the gap with a straight forward penalty kick five minutes into the second half. However the comeback was short lived as the host’s backline stretched the Old Wesley defence to score their second try. Wesley then made a number of substitutions which seemed to spur them on. A break by Dan van Zyl brought play into the opposition 22. Wesley were unable to breach the line but did eventually come away with a penalty goal bringing the score to 9-17.
Now in the final quarter Old Wesley were dealt a killer blow when their defence seemed to be caught napping allowing Terenure to score again under the posts. The game was now out of reach for old Wesley and Terenure had their minds on a bonus point try. This was achieved soon after as they intercepted an Old Wesley attack to again score under the posts. There was a slight chink of light for Wesley when the Terenure winger received a yellow card following a late tackle on McLoughlin. Wesley went down the line and from the ensuing line out Alan Large crossed for a well taken try in the corner.
But the hosts weren’t finished yet scoring two late tries to round off a very disappointing second half for Old Wesley.
Old Wesley scores: Alan Large, try; Barry McLoughlin, 3 pens.
Team: – Rory Stynes, Barry McLaughlin, Kieran Hurrell, David Potterton, Stephen Harvey, Alan Large, Ian Cassidy, Davy Henshaw, Jamie Boyle, Kenny Knaggs, John Carroll, Ian McGann, Darren Horan, Thomas Ratahi, Richie Morrow (Capt). Subs: Greg Leader, Ben Horan, Gareth Dunne, Colin Wallace, Dan van Zyl.
