Ross remain top of the pile
Derby win over Wanderers
NEW ROSS 24 WEXFORD WANDERERS 3
AFTER THE history-making trip by New Ross stalwart Tadhg Furlong to Chicago where we was prominent in Ireland’s first win over the world champions in 111 years, it was the turn of his clubmates to make the somewhat shorter trip to Wexford to contest both the J2/J3 SE league and the Leinster League on Sunday.
The seconds’ match finished with Wanderers on top 15-10.
Prior to kick-off in the firsts’ match, both sets of supporters were entertained by the Wanderers Under-12s who played an exhibition match and cheered both sides onto the pitch.
The action commenced with Eanna Burke using a skip pass to create space for Kieran Butler to get in to open the scoring after three minutes. The conversion attempt was missed.
Four minutes later, following a solid Ross scrum, Paddy Delaney sneaked over for the second try and also added the extra points with a drop-kicked conversion.
The scoring rate then slowed down with the next points going to Wanderers in the form of a penalty by Eoin Roche after 26 minutes.
Ross dominance at the scrum set up the next score on the half hour when a quick break from the setpiece and full use of the quick hands of the backs created space for Kieran Butler to notch his second try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
On 38 minutes, and again after a strong Ross scrum, David Crowdle made a break and passed to Matt Crowdle, with the ball ending up with Paddy Delaney who dotted down for his second and also subsequently added the extra points to leave the score 24-3 at the break.
The second-half was a tense, dogged affair with Ross playing against a strong breeze and having much more defensive duties to perform.
These were carried out admirably and the second period ultimately yielded no scores whatsoever.
The result ensures that the Barrowsiders continue to occupy the top position in the division and the bonus point wins which have been accumulated so far might well prove crucial in the later stages of the league.
The main talking point after the game, however, was more about results elsewhere across the league where next week’s visitors to Wanderers, Arklow, managed to beat a much-fancied Balbriggan side to leave the table very crowded in the middle.
The visit of Arklow is next Sunday at 2.30 p.m. and it is hoped as many supporters as possible can be present to see the side bounce back.
As for New Ross, next weekend sees the visit of Athy, who have produced one of the most recent Ireland caps in the form of Joey Carbery, to Allianz Park.
Wanderers: Aidan Stewart (capt.), Graham Grant, Seán Redmond, Chris Walsh, John Turner, Tom Brennan, Luke Roche, John Rowe, Kevin Roche, Eoin Roche, Liam Barry, Shea Boggan, Colm O Corcora, Robert Kenny, Paul Gannon. Subs. - Kevin Birney, James Byrne, Nick Jones, Carthaigh Geoghegan, Robbie Casey.