Comprehensive win for Gorey seconds in Wicklow

GOREY’S J2S travelled to Wicklow on Saturday and came away with a comprehensive win on a score of 37-7.

The scoreline might suggest an easy game but it was anything but as Wicklow provided stern opposition for long periods. It took Gorey 25 minutes to get on the scoresheet when Morne Kemp split the posts with a penalty.

Gorey kept up the pressure with good astute kicking from Cian Hadden. In the 35th minute Morne Kemp was just wide with another penalty attempt.

From the re-start, Michael Duke kicked back into the home ‘22. Gorey won the line-out and the subsequent maul saw Morne Kemp burst through to touch down in the corner.

Gorey were now growing in confidence, and Stanley Hadden finished off a flowing move to touch down just before half-time. Kemp added the conversion to take the score to 15-0.

The second-half saw Gorey playing into the wind, and they did not take long in setting about extending their lead, with excellent retention taking them deep into the home ‘22 .

A number of phases later, Dylan Gregan touched down for an excellent team try. Kemp added the conversion.

Wicklow responded and when Gorey were penalised they kicked to the corner. Good ball retention saw them maul over for a try, and Stephen Duffy converted with an excellent kick from the sideline to leave the score at 22-7.

Gorey upped their game and a flowing move through the backs from deep inside their own ‘22 saw Brian Brooks race over for another try, with Kemp adding the conversion.

Wicklow did rally and put some phases together but could not break down a resolute Gorey defence. The game was heading into the final minutes and again some great teamwork saw Michael Wafer race in to touch down, with another Kemp conversion leaving the final score at 36-7.

This young Gorey team stand joint top of the league with Ashbourne and have a week off. Next up will be Enniscorthy in Clonattin.

Gorey had some good performances, with Stanley Hadden, Michael Wafer and Dylan Gregan showing well in the forwards. But on a horrible day for running rugby it was the backs of Garrett Bater, Morne Kemp and man of the match David O’Neill who kept the victors on the front foot.

Gorey: W. Rothwell, L. Molloy, D. Gregan, M. Wafer, C. Reynolds, B. Mason, N. Cousins, S. Hadden, G. Bater, S. Hadden, C. O’Keeffe, M. Kemp, D. O’Neill, B. Brooks, M. Duke, D. Sawyer, Z. Sinnott, E. Buckley, S. Tomkins.