AIL 1B – UCC 35 Old Wesley 40
Old Wesley travelled to Cork anxious to quell a run of losses, and up until the last ten minutes it looked like they could suffer another loss. But..
After an opening period of UCC possession it was Old Wesley who opened the scoring when team captain Kieran O’Shea crossed from close range for a try, converted by Tom Larke. Minutes later, scrum half Evan Kenny got over for a second try, again converted by Larke to give Old Wesley a healthy looking lead after 20 minutes.
But it was the home sided who owned the second quarter, not helped by a couple of yellow cards for the visitors. UCC crossed for three unanswered converted tries leaving the score at 21-14 to the students at half time.
Five minutes into the second half Eoin Deegan crossed after a deft kick ahead by Niall Carroll bounced up nicely. Larke again converted to level the scores. UCC responded quickly with two converted tries giving them what looked like a decisive 35-21 lead.
Wesley struck back with a converted try after substitute scrum half Andrew Doyle picked up a loose ball near the line to cross under the posts. This, and arguably the introduction of some impact subs, spurred on Old Wesley, now also with a group of vocal supporters urging them on.
Stephen Smyth was on the end of a maul to cross near the corner to make it a two-point game. Then, with five minutes to go, Jamie Clarke delivered one of his classic bulldozing runs to cross for a try under the posts, converted by Larke.
UCC threw everything at the visitors for the final minutes, but the defence held firm, earning Old Wesley a valuable and much needed bonus point win.
With nearest rivals Dublin University also claiming a bonus point win, Old Wesley still holds a one-point lead with two games remaining, and a two-horse race to the finishing line.
Click here for photos by Ken Richardson
Scorers: Tries: Eoin Deegan, Evan Kenny, Jamie Clark, Kieran O’Shea, Stephen Smyth, Andrew Doyle.
Conversions: Tom Larke 5.
Team – Tom Larke, Paidi Farrell, Ethan Black, Eoin Deegan, Charlie Hempenstall, Niall Carroll, Evan Kenny, Jamie Clark, Kieran O’Shea, Benjamin Popplewell, Billy Corrigan, Mahon Ronan, Luke O’Connor, Charlie Meagher, Patrick McBarron.
Replacements: Stephen Smyth, Luke McAuliffe, Dan Campbell, Cathal Kelly, Andrew Doyle, Jarrod Homan.
