Wexford weather the storm and keep their opponents scoreless
THE BLUSTERY conditions of Storm Dennis were on full display Sunday as Wexford Wanderers welcomed Balbriggan to Park Lane.
It was a day for the purists, with conditions far from ideal.
A hardy bunch clad in blue and black sought shelter where they could away from fierce winds, sleet, rain and hail.
Balbriggan played into the wind first, and from the start the conditions were telling, with the kick-off being taken back by the wind into the away half.
A big scrum for Wexford early in the first quarter secured a penalty.
It was kicked to touch and followed with a strong line-out for the home side, with a fierce drive for the line.
Balbriggan defended for several phases on their line, before giving away a penalty which was taken quickly, with Luke Roche driving across for the opening try.
Colm O Corcora added the conversion and Wexford led 7-0.
With conditions deteriorating with each passing minute, Wexford made the most of their possession and continued to apply pressure in the Balbriggan half.
A perfectly weighted floating pass out to the wing was held by Liam Barry, who touched down for Wanderers’ second try.
The conversion hit off the upright, meaning that the score stayed at 12-0.
A scuffle between both teams resulted in a double yellow for Wexford and Balbriggan, with Wexford’s Kevin Redmond sent to the bin.
Balbriggan came into the game with a period of sustained pressure on the Wexford line.
A superb defensive display from the Wexfordmen saw them secure a massive turnover to relieve the pressure.
With the conditions playing their part, a determined Wexford took full advantage.
After a period of pressure in the Balbriggan ’22, the away team secured what seemed liked a massive turnover.
However, an ambitious pass wide to relieve pressure was brilliantly intercepted by Shane McGuinness, who touched down for the third Wexford try. Colm O Corcora added the conversion to make it 19-0.
A strong run and classy off-load by tighthead prop Bobby Clancy resulted in an incisive Wexford breakaway, with Shea Boggan crossing the line to secure the bonus point try.
The conversion was taken to the right and wide by the unpredictable wind, so the score stayed at 24-0.
Right on half-time, Bobby Clancy again showed his strength, brushing off the Balbriggan defence to cross the line for Wexford’s fifth.
The conversion was added by Colm O Corcora, making it 31-0.
It was a tough second-half, with conditions turning very poor. A game of attrition developed, with both sides giving no quarter.
Wexford were constantly excellent in the set-piece, with a fine display of scrummaging and line-outs on display.
Wexford secured a sixth try deep in the second-half, with Tom Brennan finishing off a fine move. The conversion carried just wide in the swirling gusts, leaving a final scoreline of 36-0.
It was a great performance in challenging conditions from Wexford Wanderers, and a fine feat to hold their rivals scoreless during the second-half when they had to face the elements.
And with the Under-15 boys also conceding nothing on their travels to Edenderry for a cup encounter, this win crowned a very successful weekend on the whole for the Park Lane crew.
Wexford Wanderers: Paul Gannon, Liam Barry, Colm O Corcora, Shea Boggan, Seán O Corcora, Seán William Stafford, Kevin Roche, Seán Redmond, Kevin Redmond, Bobby Clancy, John Turner, Kyle Roche, Tom Brennan, Luke Roche, Carthaigh Geoghegan. Replacements - Kevin Birney, William Morris, Vincent Carroll, Shane McGuinness, Ciarán Joyce.