Long season takes its toll on Wicklow firsts
ASHBOURNE RFC WICKLOW RFC 38 12
WICKLOW’S first team travelled to Meath to take on a powerful Ashbourne side in the penultimate league game of a bruising campaign. The long season has taken its toll and a side hit by injury and unavailability made the trip to take on the league leaders on their home patch.
Wicklow knew they would have to pull out all the stops to come away with the win. The game was played on a bitterly cold day with a strong wind which was at Wicklows backs in the first half.
Wicklow started well and the first fifteen minutes were very even. Ashbourne got the first try to take advantage of a Wicklow sin binning. The conversion was missed but Ashbourne led 5–0 after 15 minutes.
Wicklow hit back with a good try from Billy Ngawini. The conversion from Brian Keegan was good and the away side led 5 – 7. Alex Porter did very well to get over in the corner soon afterwards and Wicklow stretched their lead to 5–12.
Ashbourne stuck to their task and scored a crucial try just before half time to tie things up at 12–12.
Wicklow were facing into a strong wind in the second half and unfortunately conceded early on. The converted try from Ashbourne made it 19–12. Soon afterwards the home side had secured a bonus point try when they got over from a tapped penalty close to the posts. 26–12 and Wicklow looked in trouble.
Wicklow battled well but two further converted tries put Ashbourne comfortably out of sight at 40–12 at the final whistle.
This was a disappointing performance from Wicklow but Ashbourne are a solid side and well deserved their victory. The Meathmen will go on and win the league if as expected they beat Monkstown next weekend.
Wicklow are going into the final weekend of the league with a huge amount to play for. John Jenkinsons men are currently lying in fifth place in the league.
Boyne RFC who travel to Ashtown Lane on Sunday are in fourth place. If Wicklow win they will leapfrog the Louthmen and into fourth place and will qualify for the All Ireland Cup next season.
If they lose and DLSP were to beat Enniscorthy in their final game, Wicklow could be dragged into the relegation zone. This is a huge game for the club and we need as much support as possible on the day.
Firsts kick off at 3pm. Seconds kick off at 1.30pm.
Wicklow’s under-18s take on Boyne in the Leinster Premier semi-final also on Sunday. Kick off for this game is at 11.45. Boyne are expected to bring big travelling support so all support welcome.
Wicklow: Eanna Killeen, Jack McKenna, Neil Dickenson, George Naoupu, Stephen Swan, Liam Gaffney, Wes Wojnar, Jonny Hopkins, Billy Ngawini, Brian Keegan, Dean Leonard, Ben Porter, Shane Farrar, Alex Porter, Stephen Duffy, Subs Jason Byrne, Ben Armstrong, Seamus O’Brien, Neil Kearney, Andy Doyle.