Injuries making life difficult for Wicklow squads early on
GOREY WICKLOW
WICKLOW’S Senior men travelled to Gorey for Round 6 of the Leinster League.
Wicklow have had a challenging start to the season with a lengthy injury list putting both the firsts and seconds squads under some pressure and travelled to Gorey under some pressure to get the win.
The game was played in difficult conditions with driving rain and a strong breeze which was in favour of the home side in the first half.
Wicklow started the stronger and were rewarded for their endeavours with a simple penalty in front of the posts which Niall Earls successfully converted to give Wicklow the 0–3 lead.
Gorey bounced back immediately when the bounce of the ball went their way and they slid in for a try. The conversion was wide, but the home side led 5–3 after 18 minutes.
Gorey went on the attack again, but Wicklow’s defence was brave and held firm.
On the stroke of half-time, a good spell of attacking pressure from Wicklow saw them awarded a penalty.
Niall Earls made no mistake and knocked it over to send Wicklow in at the break with a 5–6 lead.
Wicklow would have been happy to turn around after a good first half performance, with the wind at their backs and a slender lead, but the lead was to be short lived.
Gorey were on the attack immediately and after a series of pick and drives powered over for a good score.
To make it 12–6. Soon afterwards another spell of Gorey pressure gave them a 5m scrum.
The number eight drove over and scored a soft try. The simple conversion was knocked over and Gorey led 19–6 early in the second half.
Wicklow were facing an uphill battle in the conditions but manfully set to their task. They found it very difficult to break through a teak tough Gorey defence.
With ten minutes remaining as Wicklow attacked a loose pass was intercepted and the Gorey centre ran through unopposed to score their fourth try and seal the win.
Wicklow responded bravely and were rewarded with a well-deserved score from George Naoupu to leave the final score at 26–11. The Wicklow players were very disappointed afterwards and would have felt that this was a game that they could have come away with something, but it wasn’t to be. The seconds also put in a good performance and trailed 9–3 approaching the final quarter but a strong finish by Gorey saw them run out 24–3 winners.
Wicklow are now locked in a dogfight as they approach the halfway point in the league.
Dundalk and Ashbourne have pulled away from the chasing pack and there are six teams, all within six points of each other.
The teams are very evenly matched, and this is going to be an exciting second half of the league.
The Wicklow players have the quality to get the wins needed to secure Division 1A rugby next season.
They just need to stay positive, work hard and pull together. The results will come and the whole club is behind them.
Next Saturday high flying Dundalk travel to Wicklow for the next round of the league. Wicklow will need to empty the tank to beat the Louth men before a much-needed weekend off the following week.
The team need as much support as possible on Saturday and the club is urging people to make the effort to get up and get behind your teams. Kick off is at 1pm for the seconds and 2.30pm for the firsts.
This Friday Wicklow RFC will host the inaugural Senior Schools Challenge Cup match between Colaiste Chill Mhantain and East Glendalough School.
Initially the fixture which we would like to make an annual match will be played between the Senior boys.
It is hoped to eventually expand it to include girls teams and Junior Cup teams.
The game will be played under floodlights and the kick-off time will be 7pm.
WRFC are encouraging both schools to get behind their senior teams and bring colour, supporters and chants to the fixture. After the game is completed WRFC will provide food for the players and the club’s bar will be open for parents’ teachers and supporters to enjoy.
Bank of Ireland are the main club sponsors and Robin Bradley, manager of Bank of Ireland Wicklow, will present each player of the winning team with a medal and the captain of the winning team with the Wicklow Senior Schools Challenge Cup
Wicklow RFC hope that this event will become a wonderful annual fixture in the school’s and clubs calendar and look forward to what should be a fantastic evening.
All are welcome.
Wicklow firsts: Neil Dickenson, Jack McKenna, Eddie Downes ,Stephen Swan, George Naoupu, Andrew Doyle, Liam Gaffney, Michael Doyle, Mark Higgins, Higgins, Niall Earls, Ben Armstrong, Alex Porter, Shane Farrar, Alistair Hill, Billy Ngawini. Mark Cullen, Sam Porter, Denis Higgins, John Jenkinson, Stephen Swan, Neil Kearney.
Wicklow seconds: Seamus O’Brien, B Mangan, Mark Cullen, James Stafford, Andrew O’Boyle, Dean Soady, Niall Higgins, Sam Porter, Cormac Fenton, Allen Byrne, Darren Byrne, Neil Kearney, Simon Breen, Craig Waldron, Ben Porter, Liam Hughes, Conor Vize, Stuart Donohoe, David Acres.