Clancy leads charge
’s tight at the top as Wexford stay third
XFORD WANDERERS WBRIDGE 14 7
WEXFORD Wanderers first XV ed Newbridge at Park Lane on day in the latest instalment of ster League Division 2A. anderers came into the game a rest weekend following a solid 0 win over Mullingar away two ks previously. They were fired up e prospect of the game which d second-placed Newbridge st the home side who were sitting rd place. focus matters even more, Newe’s J2 side decided not to travel ce a formidable Wanderers secteam, a decision which moved econds up to second place in league, and which gave the derers players and supporters more focus. e contest started well with both evenly matched across the park. It took 15 minutes for the opening score to come, and this was a result of Newbridge indiscipline which allowed out-half Stafford to open his account.
The rest of the half saw both sides push for scoring opportunities, but critical passes went astray and errors delayed the contest until just before the interval.
As Wanderers pushed to score a vital try, Newbridge were forced to concede a penalty and, with insufficient time on the clock for any alternative, Stafford added his second to extend the score to 6-0 at the interval.
The second period was only six minutes in when again indiscipline from Newbridge allowed Stafford extend the lead to a commanding but not quite safe 9-0.
Newbridge stuck to their pressure play and looked very threatening, especially transferring the ball quickly through hands along the back line to change the direction of attack.
Eventually their efforts paid off after a period of sustained pressure when they scored close to the posts to narrow the contest to a two-point game with 25 minutes to go.
Wanderers, however, controlled the game, defending with a wall of blue and black and keeping ball in hand in attack.
A poor clearance from Newbridge allowed scrum-half Ryan to attack along the right with winger Callum Murphy in support and, after drawing the tackle, Ryan off-loaded to allow the young winger worm his way through a number of tackles before crossing the line to extend Wanderers’ lead to 14-7.
Unfortunately, the conversion from Colm O Corcora slipped wide, allowing Newbridge the comfort of a losing bonus point with the game ending shortly after with no more scores.
The stand-out player for Wexford was prop Bobby Clancy whose intensity throughout the entire contest was immense. The consequence of Newbridge gaining a losing bonus point means that it is very tight at the top of the league table at the halfway stage.
Wexford stay in third on 24 points, one behind Newbridge in second, with Clondalkin continuing to lead the charge another point ahead of Newbridge on 26.
Next up in the second half of the league is the visit of Railway Union to Park Lane next Sunday.
The action starts early, with the J2s lining out at the earlier time of 12.30 p.m., followed by the first teams facing off at 2 p.m.
At this stage as both Wexford sides continue to push for silverware, these should be thrilling contests and as ever your support is appreciated.
Wexford: Bobby Clancy, Graham Grant, Aidan Stewart, John Turner, Darragh Kehoe (capt.), Tom Brennan, Luke Roche, Cartaigh Geoghegan, Stewart Ryan, Seán Stafford, Callum Murphy, Colm O Corcora, Corey Carty, Liam Barry, Eoin Roche. Subs. - Kevin Birney, Seán Redmond, Seán O Corcora, Chris Walsh, Shea Boggan.