Leinster Senior League Cup – Old Wesley 40 – Old Belvedere 24
In the third round of the Leinster Senior League Cup Old Wesley recorded an unexpected but well deserved bonus point victory over AIL Division 1a side Old Belvedere.
The visitors struck first after ten minutes when they sliced the Wesley defense to score under the posts, and it looked like it might be a long afternoon for Old Wesley. However playing against a team ranked two divisions higher did not daunt the home side. Two well executed tries by Iain McGann and Richie Jermyn and some accurate place kicking by Barry McLaughlin put Old Wesley 23-14 ahead by half time.
Belvedere closed the gap to 23-21 early in the second half and it looked like the Wesley lead would be short lived. However Kieran Hurrel capitalized on some sloppy defense with a converted try to regain a nine point lead. Approaching the final quarter Captain Alan Large put the icing on the cake crossing for the bonus point try. Indeed Large put in a fine display of tactical line kicking in the second half as, on a number of occasions, he pinned the opposition back into their own half.
This win will serve as a major morale booster in advance of the first match in the All Ireland League just two weeks away.
Old Wesley scorers:
Iain McGann, Richie Jermyn, Kieran Hurrel, Alan Large, try each
Barry McLaughlin, 4 cons, 4 pens