Wesley back with solid win over Rock

All Ireland League – Old Wesley 28 Blackrock 10

After a run of losses Old Wesley got back to winning ways with a 28 -10 bonus point win over Blackrock in a local derby at Stradbrook Road.

The hosts opened the scoring with a penalty kick after just 3 minutes by full back Dave Scott-Lennon but it was Old Wesley who were first to cross the whitewash. From a lineout just inside the opposition 22 Iain McGann barged his way to the line shrugging off two tacklers in the process. James Nolan missed the tricky conversion into the wind but made up for it shortly after with a penalty goal from 30 meters out. Scott-Lennon had two further penalty goal attempts but was wide with the relatively straightforward kicks. The Old Wesley scrum was starting to show its dominance with hooker Dave Rowley taking two against the head. However the Old Wesley team and supporters were puzzled with some of the referee’s decisions as he awarded penalties to Blackrock from two other scrums. Wesley were then dealt a blow when scrum half and captain Ian Cassidy was forced to retire with an injury to be replaced by Adam Kennedy. Rock were next on the scoreboard with a try by Mikey Russell following a mix up in the Wesley defence. Scott-Lennon converted to give Blackrock a 10-8 lead. However Wesley responded and proceeded to exert pressure on the opposition defence. The pressure eventually paid off when the ball was swung out wide to Rory Stynes who took a good pass from Billy Ngwini to score in the corner. Then just before half time Blackrock were reduced to 14 players when scrum half Dave Moore was shown yellow for an off the ball incident.

Now playing with the wind Wesley started the second half where they left off and after just 5 minutes Stynes was over again, this time following some good passes from Daren Horan and Ger Finucane. Ngwini was involved again 5 minutes later when he beat a defender and passed to Paul Harte. Harte showed great pace sprinting 30 meters down the touchline before passing to Alan Large who crossed untouched for the bonus point try. Substitute Barry McLaughlin converted and at 25-10 and even with 20 minutes to go it was clear there was no way back for the Stradbrook men. McLaughlin struck again with a penalty kick and the opposition had run out of ideas. Even a late yellow card for Josh Hinde for a ruck infringement could not be capitalised on by Blackrock.
This was a much needed win for Old Wesley which leaves them 4th in the league table just ahead of Buccaneers and our next opposition Shannon

Old Wesley team: Rory Stynes, Paul Harte, Billy Ngwini, Ger Finucane, James Nolan, Alan Large, Ian Cassidy [Capt], Davy Henshaw, David Rowley, James Burton, Josh Hinde, Iain McGann, Darren Horan, Stephen Boyle, Mark Rowley. Subs: Martin Gatley, Rory Kerins, Alan Matthews, Adam Kennedy, Barry McLaughlin,

Old Wesley scorers: Iain McGann, Try; Rory Stynes 2 Tries; Alan Large, Try; James Nolan, Pen, Barry McLaughlin, Con, Pen.

Click here for report on the IRFU website

Match photos –