Wicklow RFC beaten by eager Tullow side
WICKLOW’S first team travelled to Tullow RFC for a tough opening fixture in the Leinster League Division 1B.
The game was played on a sunny afternoon with a stiff breeze that favoured the home side in the first half.
Tullow were champing at the bit to get stuck into the newly crowned South East champions and reigning Towns Cup champions. They tore into Wicklow from the first whistle and were first to score with a try under the posts after five minutes.
Wicklow responded well and bounced straight back with a good try of their own from a sniping Denis Higgins break. Niall Earls converted and the sides were level at 7–7.
Tullow had the edge in the first half and probably had the better of the scoring opportunities.
Wicklow had several chances of their own but failed to convert them and on a number of occasions ferocious Tullow defence allowed them to force the turnover or penalty that allowed them to clear their lines
Tullow continued to press and eventually the pressure told and two penalties from Willie Canavan put Tullow 13–7 ahead.
On the stroke of half-time a disappointing penalty concession from Wicklow handed the Carlow men a simple three points and they went in at the break with a healthy 16–7 lead.
Wicklow had the breeze in the second half and began to turn the screw on Tullow.
A series of penalties close to the Tullow line went to the corner and eventually the Wicklow pack drove over for a good score. Earls’ conversion made it 16–14 with half an hour remaining.
You would have backed Wicklow to go on and win from that position but a hungry Tullow side battled til the final whistle. Tullow had a good spell of pressure deep in Wicklow territory but some outstanding defence kept the home side out.
Tullow did will to hold onto the ball and a frustrated Wicklow side found it difficult to gain a foothold in the Tullow half. The tiring Tullow pack went down injured after almost every play and Wicklows momentum was halted again and again.
Jonny Butler almost got over under the posts but on this occasion, with the try line beckoning, manic Tullow defence prevented the winning score.
Tullow finished the game on the attack and the final whistle went to much jubilation from the home side and their sizeable crowd of supporters.
To their credit Tullow were a good side and deserved the win. The focus for Wicklow this year is very much winning promotion to Division 1A and so they were understandably disappointed. They came up against a very fired up Tullow side that will win a lot of games in the league this season.
This Wicklow side have been on a remarkable winning run of 14 straight games since their last loss on January 10 away to Malahide. Six of those games have been against Division 1sides including Enniscorthy, Gorey and Ashbourne who finished first, second and third in Division 1A last season.
While they have lost a couple of players they have the talent and ability to go on and win the league from here.
Hopefully this loss might just be the catalyst that refocuses the minds and sparks off another winning run.
Next weekend they are home to former AIL side Suttonians in what is an absolute must win game. Kick off is at 3pm and all are welcome.
Squad: Timmy Donovan, Eanna Killeen, Shane Byrne, Fergal Walsh, John Jenkinson, Andrew Doyle, Mikey Doyle, Barry Hurley, DennisHiggins, Niall Earls, Dean Leonard, Shane Farrar, Ben Porter, Ben Armstrong, Jonny Butler Subs Alex Porter, Mark Cullen, Mark O’Reilly, Liam Gaffney, Jack McKenna