Wexford win for third time

heading for the break.

New Ross were far from finished and the last ten minutes of the opening period saw them camped on the Wexford try line where solid and well-managed Wanderers defending ensured they reached the half-time whistle without a score.

At the interval Wanderers started to ring the changes with Smythe, Vickery and Byrne entering the fray for Jones, Bolger and Guirrine, with Waters moving to out-half and Foley in to the base of the scrum.

Wanderers opened the scoring with a penalty from Waters after five minutes to settle the nerves as the clock started its countdown to the finish. Moments later however, New Ross showed they were not a spent force when almost from the re-start they scored an unconverted try in the corner.

Wanderers reverted to the effective driving forwards play which had paid off handsomely in the opening period and it again yielded results, with ‘Hedge’ O’Leary crossing under the posts to give Waters an easy conversion after a number of drives from Rowe and the other forwards.

Worryingly New Ross again attacked from the re-start and scored a second try to prevent Wanderers racing away with the game. Wexford continued to utilise the bench, introducing Walshe and Gannon for Toomey and Cardiff, while Jones rolled in for Kinsella.

As the game entered the final quarter the Wexford backs started to come back into the game with strong runs by O’Neill, Murphy and Waters who managed to loop the New Ross defence to score in the corner. Unusually he missed the conversion.

In the last five minutes he made amends with a penalty kick to leave the match finish on a scoreline of 39-10 in Wanderers’ favour. The victory was Wanderers’ first in the Provincial Towns Seconds Cup in over a generation, and indeed the last time the club featured in the competition was in April, 2008, when, after getting a walkover against Clane, they faced beaten finalists Tullow in a last 16 clash in Tullow, losing narrowly 12-10.

Such is the positive strength around Senior men’s rugby at Park Lane that at this stage Wanderers are currently building the nucleus of a third XV to compete in the Anderson Cup in April.

Meanwhile, the date for the club annual dinner dance in the Talbot Hotel has been announced as March 17 which will give rugby supporters an added reason to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year.

For further information in relation to upcoming fixtures and events, follow the club on Facebook and Twitter or sign up to our weekly newsletter. THE PENULTIMATE game in the Leinster League, for the Gorey Under-15s, was against Dundalk on Saturday.

Dundalk were the form team so the lads knew this was going to be a tough match and that proved to be the case. From the opening Dundalk were straight on the offensive and, within the first ten minutes, the home side opened their account with a seven-pointer. ENNISCORTHY HAD to dig deep to get to the next round of the Provincial Towns Seconds Cup.

They did get off to a really good start, and after just five minutes of action they had the first of their four tries. Number 8 Cathal Mernagh picked from the back of the scrum and Jack Kelly added the conversion.

However, Birr responded with two quick tries to lead.

Defence wins matches and Gorey stepped up. Hard running hooker J.J. O’Neill scored for the visitors, and the try was converted.

The match settled into an arm wrestle with each side looking for an opening or a mistake. Gorey through hard work got the ball to winger L. Noblett and at the half-time break they were in front.

From the re-start Dundalk went on the attack and shortly the scores were level. Gorey flanker, D. Cooke, then scored following a burst, but then in the 45th minute Dundalk hacked through and

Then just before half-time Enniscorthy scored a crucial second try to get them back into the game.

Willie Dunne, who had just come off the bench to allow treatment for John Daly who had received a knock to his eye, scored an excellent try flying over the line in the corner.

Birr did not lie down and responded with an early try and a penalty to stay in front.

Enniscorthy‘s fitness started to tell as the clock wore down and they added two further tries from Evan Lett and Tony White, with scored to take the initiative.

Taking advantage of a lapse in Gorey’s focus and defence, the home side scored again, using the same tactic, leaving the final score 27-17 to Dundalk. Gorey were left to make the long trip home disappointed. Jack Kelly adding the conversions.

Enniscorthy closed out the game and safely negotiated the final ten minutes to secure a second round meeting with Wicklow. Evan Lett won the man of the match award.