26/10/24 – AIL – Old Wesley 16 Old Belvedere 21
Old Wesley hosted neighbours Old Belvedere in Round 5 of the AIL this weekend.
Old Belvedere started lively and won 2 penalties for posts in the early exchanges, both missed by fly half Sam Wisniewski. Wesley struggled to get out of their half in the first 10 minutes as Old Belvedere laid down their marker. Eventually penalties got them up the pitch and an inside line from Alex Molloy led to scrum half Andy Doyle scoring on his first start. Cassidy adding their extras to put the home side 7-0 ahead.
Wesley had a purple patch following this but failed to execute with handling errors and ill-discipline giving Old Belvedere breathing space. More penalties conceded gave Belvedere more opportunities and this time Sam Wisniewski didn’t miss. 7-3. A penalty from the restart gave Cassidy the opportunity to nudge Wesley further ahead right before half time and he duly did. 10-3 at the break.
Wesley restarted the match and won a penalty which Cassidy once again stuck over the bar to put Wesley 10 ahead. Belvedere replied strongly and a penalty for a high tackle meant Wisniewski could close the gap to 13-6. Again, Wesley had the opportunity to add 3 to the score but Cassidy’s penalty skimmed past the post. Belvedere seemed to dominate possession in the middle of the park and eventually led to a line out just outside the Wesley try-line. Captain Callum Dowling was able to steer the away side’s maul over the line. Wisniewski was unable to tie the game and Wesley held a 2-point lead. 13-11.
Errors in attack meant that the away side could keep Wesley at bay, with youngsters Mahon Ronan and Charlie Meagher carrying for the home side, but Belvedere had all the answers in defence. Old Belvedere began to go for the line out more from penalties and the visitors started to get purchase from their maul. After multiple phases of play, Wisniewski sniped from 10 and scored under the posts, converting the try himself with 15 to go and putting his side in the lead for the first time in the match. 13-18. Wesley had one last opportunity however a knock on led to a high tackle from Nathan Randles and meant Wesley would see the game out with 14. A penalty from a scrum meant Wisniewski could extend their lead to 13-21. Wesley were unable to get the win now and with a last minute penalty, Cassidy decided to go for posts to get within 7 and come out of the game with a losing bonus point. 16-21 final score.
Wesley visit the Mardyke on November 9th to take on UCC.
Scorers: Try: Andrew Doyle; Con: Ian Cassidy; Pens: Ian Cassidy 3
HT: Old Wesley 10 Old Belvedere 3
Team: Nathan Randles; Tommy O’Callaghan, Alex Molloy, Eoin Deegan, Eoin Murphy; Ian Cassidy, Andrew Doyle; Harry Noonan, Kieran O’Shea, Cronan Gleeson, David Motyer, Reuben Pim (capt), Cathal Kelly, Josh Pim, Will Fay. Replacements: Rian Handley, Sam Kenny, Charlie Meagher, Mahon Ronan, Diarmuid Scannell, Paidi Farrell.
Click here for photos by Ken Richardson
