AIL 1B – Old Wesley 35 Naas 22
Old Wesley moved to within one win of the Division 1B title with a hard-fought 35–22 victory over Naas in Donnybrook, securing a crucial five-point haul in the penultimate round of the season and ensuring the championship race will go right down to the final day. With Trinity also winning, Wesley knew nothing less than a bonus-point victory would do, and despite a nervy finish they delivered exactly that.
The home side started with intent and opened the scoring through Mahon Ronan by burrowing over from close range after sustained pressure in the Naas 22. Tom Larke added the conversion to make it 7–0. Jamie Clark struck soon after, continuing his run of tries. Wesley earned a scrum penalty deep in the Naas half and from the resulting pressure the big prop found space through the middle, finishing brilliantly for the second try of the afternoon. Larke again converted, giving Wesley a 14–0 lead and settling early nerves in Donnybrook.
Naas, though, are far too dangerous a side to fold quietly. They hit back before the breakthrough a well-worked backline moves, with Paddy Taylor pulling the strings and Naas eventually crossing out wide. The conversion was missed, leaving Wesley 14–5 ahead at half-time, but the visitors had shown enough to make it clear there would be no easy second half.
Wesley began the second period well and looked to have regained control when they won another scrum penalty and built pressure in the Naas half. But just as they threatened to push clear, Naas struck back again. A long passage of possession and some sharp handling pulled Wesley around before the visitors crossed once more, narrowing the gap and putting real pressure on the league leaders. At that stage the game hung in the balance, but Wesley found their answer through sheer power and composure. After repeated pressure in the Naas 22, Cathal Kelly forced his way over from close range, a score that restored breathing room and brought a huge roar from the Donnybrook crowd. Larke’s conversion pushed the lead out once more.
The key moment came after a strong run down the wing by Jarrod Homan brought play deep into the Naas 22 leading to the bonus point try by Stephen Smyth. It was a massive score in the context of the season, turning a good win into a potentially season-defining one. Naas crossed for another try before Jarrod Homan put the icing on the cake crossing in the corner for Old Wesley’s fifth try. Naas grabbed a late consolation to bring the score to 35–22, but Wesley had already done the damage. The final whistle confirmed a valuable five-point return, and with results elsewhere meaning Trinity also collected maximum points, the title race will now be decided on the final weekend.
Wesley go into that last round still top of Division 1B, one point clear, with their destiny firmly in their own hands.
Click here for photos by Ken Richardson
Scorers: Tries: Mahon Ronan, Jamie Clark, Cathal Kelly, Stephen Smyth, Jarrod Homan; Cons: Tom Larke 5
Team: Tom Larke; Paidi Farrell, Ethan Black, Eoin Deegan, Charlie Hempenstall; Niall Carroll, Evan Kenny; Jamie Clark, Kieran O’Shea (capt), Kian Regan, Billy Corrigan, Mahon Ronan, Luke O’Connor, Cathal Kelly, Pat McBarron. Replacements: Stephen Smyth, Ben Popplewell, Dan Campbell, Charlie Meagher, Andrew Doyle, Jarrod Homan.
