Wicklow’s fine run picks up pace with big victory
WICKLOW RFC 36 MONKSTOWN RFC 5X
WICKLOW’S firsts took on Monkstown FC in their first home game of the season at Ashtown Lane on Saturday. A large crowd turned out for their first taste of Saturday rugby and they weren’t disappointed with a barnstorming display from the home side.
Monkstown had the aid of a strong crosswind in the first half but they found themselves under pressure right from the off. Ben Porter was the first name on the score sheet with a good try after some slick handling by the backs. Out half Brian Keegan added the conversion and Wicklow led 7–0.
Five minutes later, Wicklow were in again when Billy Ngawini wriggled over to score after some powerful work by the pack. Keegans conversion made it 14–0 after 10 minutes.
Monkstown looked slightly shell shocked but they worked their way into Wicklow territory and were rewarded with a penalty to make it 14–3 after 13 minutes. A second excellent penalty kick by Monkstowns out half made it 14–6.
Winger Dean Leonard danced down the touchline and dived over in the corner to score Wicklows third try after half an hour to leave the score at 19–6. Another fine kick by the Monkstown ten made it 19–9 before some slick handling by Stephen Duffy and Ben Armstrong put Ben Porter over for his second and Wicklows fourth try on the stroke of half-time. Keegans conversion made it 26–9 at the break.
Wicklow turned around with the wind at their backs and increased their lead with a Keegan penalty to make it 29–9.
Monkstown looked dead and buried when Brian Keegan ripped a ball from the Monkstown second row before setting Dean Leonard clear to race under the posts for his second and Wicklow’s fifth try. Keegan’s conversion made it 36–9 with 15 minutes left.
Monkstown, to their credit, didn’t let their heads drop, worked their way back into the game and began to exert some pressure of their own.
They were rewarded with a well-deserved try. The excellent touchline conversion made it 3615. This was to be the last score of the game and a large crowd of happy Wicklow supporters made their way to the clubhouse for the post match analysis.
Wicklow will have been very pleased with their performance on the day. They had a lot more shape and control than in the previous weeks loss to DLSP. Their six-point haul from the opening two games leaves them in second place in the league to date.
There is no doubt next week’s away trip to near neighbours Go- rey is very likely to be a far tougher assignment.
A resurgent Gorey have strengthened their squad considerably over the summer with the notable return of powerful second row Stephen Gardiner from Lansdowne.
Gorey travelled to Boyne on Sunday and left with a comfortable away win against a team that played AIL last season.
Gorey always bring a huge crowd to their home games so Wicklow are asking all our supporters to make the trip to support both teams on Saturday. Firsts kick off at 3pm with the seconds game at 1.30pm.
Wicklow: Eanna Killeen, Jack McKenna, Jason Byrne, John Jenkinson, George Naoupu, Liam Gaffney, Wes Wojnar, Eoin O’Sullivan, Billy Ngawini, Brian Keegan, Ben Armstrong, Ben Porter, Shane Farrar, Dean Leonard, Stephen Duffy, Stephen Swan,Tim Spencer, Mark Cullen, Stefan Nixon, Alex Porter, Cillian Ballesty.