AIL – Old Wesley 38 Dublin University 17
Old Wesley claimed their third bonus point win in a row with a 6 tries to 3 win over Dublin University at Donnybrook.
Wesley playing into a strong wind, had their defence tested early with Trinity carrying hard toward their line. Wesley struggled to exit with strong gusts meaning Cassidy’s clearance kicks went only so far. This meant that the Donnybrook side would have to try to keep the ball in hand and play their way up the pitch.
Returning Leinster hooker Stephen Smyth received the ball following a knock-on and chucked it across the pitch to Alex Molloy who made the half break, offloading to Nathan Randles who gave the ball back inside to Tom Larke charging 50 metres down the pitch, held up just short of the line. Andy Doyle spun the ball out to Ian Cassidy who saw the defence on the back foot and ran through the gap to score. Cassidy then converted, 7-0. 18 minutes gone.
Old Wesley had found their rhythm and went through the carries in their half waiting to find space. Cronan Gleeson and Hary Noonan were destructive all day in their carrying and Gleeson went over from close range, Cassidy missing the extras. 12-0.
The wind still playing a huge factor meant again most of the game was being played in Old Wesley’s half, and to add to this Ian Cassidy was sin-binned for a high tackle. Andy Doyle’s high box kick could not be regathered, and Davy Colbert ran in Trinity’s first of the game from 40 meters. Conversion missed, 12-5 with 30 minutes gone.
Trinity really capitalized on Wesley being a player down and Colbert got around the outside of the Wesley defence and then offloaded back inside to center Hugh Goddard who scored in the corner. Quirke converted this time and it was 12-12 with 4 minutes left in the half.
Ian Cassidy returned after the try and put Wesley back on the front foot. It wasn’t long before skipper Josh Pim found himself crashing over for Old Wesley’s third try of the half following strong carries from forwards Billy Corrigan and Mahon Ronan. The wind pushed Cassidy’s conversion wide and Wesley were 5 ahead at halftime. 17-12.
The first 20 minutes of the first half saw both teams look to find their footing in the game with the scrum becoming a place of real contention as well as the maul. Eventually, Cassidy threw the ball out the back to Alex Molloy who split the defence, stepped the Trinity winger, and scored in the corner to secure the bonus point for Welsey. Cassidy converted from the tee. 24-12.
Trinity’s frustrations began to show and a yellow card for Max Dunne for a late hit meant Old Wesley could take advantage of their lead. Stephen Smyth broke the line off a beautifully orchestrated lineout move and Old Welsey were now in behind the College team. It was then Harry Noonan who broke through 2 tackles and skipped over from 5 meters. Cassidy converting from in front of the posts; 31-12 with 15 to go.
Trinity held onto the ball for most of the last quarter but struggled to get past the halfway line as the Wesley defence held firm. Eventually, centre Eoin Deegan intercepted and spun the ball out to Thomas O’Callaghan who ran in from 40 metres out, Cassidy once again converted the extras and it was 38-12.
A consolation try came Trinity’s way when winger James O’Sullivan scored in the corner but that’s all it was as Wesley came away with their 5th win of the season pulling themselves up to 3rd in the table and are due to travel to Queen’s University next weekend in their final game of 2024.
Scorers: Tries: Ian Cassidy, Cronan Gleeson, Josh Pim, Harry Noonan, Alex Molloy, Tommy O’Callaghan; Cons: Ian Cassidy 4
HT: Old Wesley 17 Dublin University 12
Team: Tom Larke; Nathan Randles, Alex Molloy, Eoin Deegan, Paidi Farrell; Ian Cassidy, Andrew Doyle; Harry Noonan, Stephen Smyth, Cronan Gleeson, Billy Corrigan, Mahon Ronan, Cathal Kelly, Josh Pim (capt), Reuben Pim. Replacements: Kieran O’Shea, Adam Watchorn, Will Fay, David Motyer, Eoin Murphy, Tommy O’Callaghan.
Click here for photos by Ken Richardson
Click here for photos by Deryck Vincent
Click here for video highlights
