Wanderers ready for derby
WANDERERS BALBRIGGAN 31 10 THE WEXFORD Wanderers first XV hosted Balbriggan at Park Lane on Sunday in a must-win fixture for the home side in their drive to take Division 2B of the Leinster League.
Wanderers came into the game on the back of a comprehensive win away to Athboy who were dispatched on a 34-3 score line, picking up the bonus point to boot.
Sunday’s game was a tougher test with no love lost between both sides as Wanderers pipped them two years ago for the Division 3 title. The last outing between the teams in October saw Wanderers win 22-10 in Balrothery.
The game started in typical fashion with Wanderers making the best of the early running and Rob Casey scoring an unconverted try after 15 minutes.
Balbriggan kept in touch with a penalty on the half hour mark before Eoin Roche restored the lead with a penalty for Wexford.
Balbriggan had a trick up their sleeve and managed to score a converted try just five minutes shy of the interval. Roche added a further penalty to give Wanderers a 11-10 lead at the break.
In the second period Casey added to his tally within ten minutes with a second unconverted try before Roche added a penalty to push Wanderers further ahead.
At this stage the Wanderers pack decided to get in on the scoring, with John Turner getting an unconverted try before substitute Darragh Kehoe added one at the death to secure the bonus point, with Roche adding the points. The final score was 31-10.
The result sets up the prospect for an epic derby clash in New Ross next week. After the conclusion of last weekend’s round of games, New Ross are only four points ahead of Wexford in the league.
The game, which will kick off at 2.30 p.m. Sunday, will ultimately decide the final pecking order in relation to the league. It will be preceded by the clash of both clubs’ seconds teams at 1 p.m. which is also crucial for Wanderers to keep pressure on leaders Athy in the push for the seconds league.
The following Sunday (January 29) sees the cup season start with Wanderers hosting Naas at Park Lane in the opening round of the Provincial Towns Cup.
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Team: Seán Redmond, Kevin Redmond, Dave Martin, Chris Walsh, John Turner, Tom Brennan, Luke Roche, Carthaigh Geoghegan, Kevin Roche, Eoin Roche, Robbie Kenny, Colm O Corcora, Shea Boggan, Robbie Casey, Paul Gannon. Subs. - James Byrne, Graham Grant, Corey Carty, Darragh Kehoe, Aaron O’Neill.