Wesley claim bragging rights in D4 tussle
Metro League 4 – Old Wesley 42 Lansdowne 10, by Aaran Copeland
(Friday 12th February) Played in fine conditions under the dim lights of the Donnybrook back pitch, Wesley didn’t hesitate in going through the gears and securing yet another bonus point win. With 60 tries scored in 11 games this group certainly knows their way to the try line.
Wesley kicked off with a light breeze at their back and it didn’t take long for their early pressure to be converted into points. Birthday boy Kenny ‘The General’ McLaughlin slotted home two early penalties. Classy scrum half Copeland then attempted a speculative cross kick inside the Wesley half. Unfortunately his team mates didn’t share the same sort of vision and the kick wasn’t dissimilar to O’Gara’s infamous midfield grubber in Murrayfield. Following a series of mauls and solid carrying around the fringes flanker Rouse drove over from close range much to the disgust of his arch nemesis, the opposition tighthead. The forwards did the heavy lifting and my word, did those backs play that piano. First came a try straight off the training ground with blindside wing Correll bursting through and offloading to captain Hastings. The next try was scored by the newcomer Fitzgibbon who reminded us what pace and power looks like on the left wing. The untimely injury to McConnell sent panic around the squad but his replacement proved more than capable. Receiving the ball just inside his own half the big fella trucked over a few would be tacklers and sped home leaving at least 12 defenders in his wake! Half Time, 20-0 to Old Wesley.
The opening skirmishes of the second half didn’t go to plan with Lansdowne scoring two tries off the back of a rolling maul. Both kicks went unconverted. To make matters worse indiscipline at ruck time cost Wesley a man as Boydy was sent on his bike to bring a special delivery to the sin bin. However Wesley soon replied through a Davis score set up by a muscular bust up the middle from Jack Byrne. With the Twin Towers in place in the Wesley back division it was more a case of when not if! Wesley continued to up the ante and the introduction of Ivan Campbell ensured quick ball for the impressive Wesley backline. His promotion to the 3rds hasn’t fazed him one bit and a celebratory try soon followed. The game finished with a no arms hit on Correll which almost knocked his hair out of place, almost. Game over, job done.
With this 42-10 victory Wesley cemented their place at the top of the table. Next up is a tough assignment in the cup against neighbours Bective. The annual pilgrimage to the Blue ‘WKD’ Light took place the following day and despite losses for Ireland and the well supported Scots a good time was had by all.