Wicklow go fourth

WICKLOW BOYNE 58 22

THE Leinster League concluded at Ashtown Lane on Sunday when Wicklow took on fourth placed Boyne RFC in a crucial game.

Boyne and John Jenkinson’s fifth placed Wicklow were vying for fourth place and qualification for next year’s All-Ireland Cup.

At the same time both teams were keeping one eye on a very congested lower half of the table and possible relegation battle.

Wicklow started with real urgency and scored after five minutes. Wes Wojnar did well to intercept and get over. Brian Keegans conversion made it 7-0. Keegan added a penalty soon after to make it 10-0.

After a strong scrum Billy Ngaw- ini made a searing break to score from 30 metres out.

Keegan’s conversion made it 17-0. Boyne responded with a try of their own to make it 17-7. They followed it up with a penalty to close the gap to 17-10 at the break.

An early try by Shane Farrer settled Wicklow’s second half nerves.

A brilliant touchline conversion from Keegan made it 24-10.

Ben Porter was next to score when he fly hacked through before gathering the ball to score a well taken try. Keegan made it 31-10 and Wicklow were out of sight.

Birthday boy Jack McKenna was next to score to make it 38-10.

Alex Porter scored out on the wing after good work by Andy Doyle and Billy Ngawini to make it 43-10.

Billy Ngawini scored his second to bring it to 50-17 before Dean Leonard rounded off the Wicklow scoring with a fine try after a good break by Stephen Duffy to make it 57-17.

Boyne struck back with the last play to make it 57-22 in Wicklow’s favour.

This was a fine performance by Wicklow who secured an excellent fourth place in Leinster.

To be ranked fourth place in Leinster makes it the highest ever finish by a Wicklow Senior men’s team.

It secures a place in the All-Ireland Cup next season where the top four teams in each province play off for the coveted trophy.

This will be a real challenge but something to look forward to for the coming season.

Wicklow’s seconds finished off their campaign with a good 20-15 win over the J2 Champions.

There is no let up for the first XV who take on Skerries on Saturday afternoon in the Provincial Towns Cup quarter-final.

Kick-off is at 3 p.m. and the club are asking all of their supporters to make the effort to get up and support the team in their quest to make the semi-finals for the third year in a row.