Home semi-final for Wicklow after big win

WICKLOW RFC ENNISCORTHY RFC 31 17

WICKLOW RFC’S under-14s hosted Enniscorthy on Sunday in the Leinster League.

Conditions were near perfect and Wicklow needed a win to secure a home semi-final in the Leinster League Premier Division.

Wicklow started the game with a high-tempo and made their intentions clear to the opposition putting them under pressure from the start.

After eight minutes and some great link play, Wicklow scored their first try with fly-half Tom Hodgkinson weaving through the Enniscorthy defence to score. Tom also converted to put the home side 7-0 ahead.

Wicklow were playing at the top of their game in the first half and were completely out-playing Enniscorthy, never giving them any breathing space.

Wicklow turned the screw again and were rewarded with another try, this time Niki Moelders showed great strength to fend off the Enniscorthy defence and cross the line. Tom Hodgkinson added the extra two points from the boot.

Wicklow were up 14-0 and looking good. The Wicklow forwards were out-muscling their counterparts in the first half and with the backs moving the ball swiftly through the hands they were giving Enniscorthy a hard time.

The home side were on the attack again and from a set piece the ball was sent to Jake law and he he left three defenders in his wake to dive over in the corner.

Wicklow were cruising now and seemed unstoppable, but they were caught napping just before half-time which let Enniscorthy in to score a try against the run of play which they converted. This left the score 19-7 at break.

The second half began and Wicklow seemed to drift out of the game and what they were doing so well in the first half they were struggling to do in the second.

This seemed to spark life into Enniscorthy and they started to show signs of getting back into the game and it wasn’t long before they were rewarded with a good try.

Wicklow were under pressure now and were being forced back by Enniscorthy who now had their tails up.

All the play now was coming from Enniscorthy and it wasn’t long before they would score a well worked try. The score was now 19-17. Wicklow needed to up their performance.

With the pressure on, Wicklow responded and went about securing this game.

When they really needed a score, captain Niki Moelders produced a strong run to power through a packed defence and score a excellent try.

Again, Enniscorthy came back but Wicklow’s defence were hav- ing none of it and forced the opposition into some mistakes that would give Wicklow the advantage.

Some strong play and quick hands seen the ball played wide to Scott Fitzpatrick who showed his heels to the Enniscorthy defence and score a fine try. Tom Hodgkinson added the extras leaving the score 31-17 with five minutes to go.

Enniscorthy tried hard but couldn’t break the Wicklow line and the home team were able to see out the game and guarantee themselves a home semi-final in the Premier Division.

James Fleming, Liam Nicholson, James O’Donnell, Michael Byrne, Sam O’Connor, Zach Callery, Ivan Mackey, Jake Law, Conor Luddy, Tom Hodgkinson, Daragh Cahill, Niki Moelders, Scott Fitzpatrick, Alex Richardson, Conor Hunter, Shane Carlin, Oisin Clare, Dilanas Mazirskas, Kyle Corrigan, Joshua Reynolds, Jordan Twomey, PJ Jameson, Michael O’Neill.

Coaches: Mark Kinlan, Ted Johnson and Markus Moelders.