AIL 1B – Old Wesley 19 – Highfield 17
Old Wesley edged a fiercely physical contest in Donnybrook with a 19–17 win over Highfield to maintain their push at the top of Division 1B.
Highfield struck early, moving the ball wide to score in the corner after just a few minutes. Wesley responded well, settling into the game through strong phase play and forward dominance. Their first try came from a well-executed lineout maul, with Kieran O’Shea peeling off the back to dive over. The conversion from Kristian Jensen gave Wesley a narrow lead.
The remainder of the first half was a tight arm-wrestle, with Highfield carrying hard and testing Wesley’s defence. The visitors regained the lead before halftime after sustained pressure close to the line, leaving it 10–7 at the break.
Old Wesley came out with better tempo in the second half. A clever maul variation created space for Eoin Deegan to break the line and feed Evan Kenny for a crucial try. Highfield replied again through their forwards to retake the lead, but Wesley refused to go away.
With the game in the balance, Wesley’s pack took control. After multiple close-range carries and patient recycling, Jamie Clark powered over to score what proved to be the decisive try.
The closing minutes were all defence. Highfield threw everything at Wesley’s line, but huge tackles, notably from Clark and the back row of Daniel Campbell and Pat McBarron, and a vital turnover penalty from Fergus Jemphrey sealed the win.
A gritty, hard-earned victory keeps Wesley’s momentum rolling and preserves their position at the summit of 1B.
Click here for photos by Ken Richardson
Scorers: Old Wesley: Tries: Kieran O’Shea, Evan Kenny, Jamie Clark; Cons: Kristian Jensen 2
Team: Jules Fenelon; Paidi Farrell, Kristian Jensen, Eoin Deegan, Jarrod Homan; Niall Carroll, Evan Kenny; Jamie Clark, Kieran O’Shea (capt), Ben Popplewell, Billy Corrigan, Luke O’Connor, Cathal Kelly, Dan Campbell, Pat McBarron. Replacements: Luke McAuliffe, Kian Regan, Emilio Lom, Shane Cawley, Stephen Hendy, Fergus Jemphrey.
