WICKLOW DRIVE ON
Victory over Skerries sets up semi-final tie with Tullow
WICKLOW RFC marched on in this years Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup with a strong performance against a tough Skerries RFC side in the quarter-finals at Ashtown Lane on Saturday.
The game was played in front of a large crowd, on a cold day with a strong breeze that favoured the North Dubliners in the first half. Both teams were fired up and right from the off the intensity and the intent was clear.
The early pressure came from the home side who despite the wind in their faces spent most of the first fifteen minutes in the Skerries half. Eventually the pressure told and Wicklows pack powered over for a good try from a driving maul. The tricky, retaken conversion hit the crossbar but Wicklow led 5–0.
Skerries came back into things and had a spell of pressure of their own. Wicklow’s defence which was solid all day kept them out. The Goats had to suffice with a penalty to bring the score to 5–3 after 20 minutes.
Wicklow upped the pace again and camped in the Skerries 22. A powerful scrum and Billy Ngawini broke through to score beneath the posts. Brian Keegan added the conversion and Wicklow led 12–3 after 33 minutes.
Skerries were never going to lie down and from the kick off, they surged deep into Wicklow territory and laid siege to the line. Wicklow defence kept them at bay until a powerful run by their centre who broke through and seemed certain to score. As he was going over the line he was hit by a ferocious tackle by the outstanding Liam Gaffney. The move broke down, Wicklow forced the turnover and cleared the ball into touch. The halftime whistle went and Wicklow led 12–3. This was a huge moment in the game.
The first 20 minutes of the second half were a fairly even affair. Skerries had their chances but failed to take them.
Excellent Wicklow defence frustrated them on several occasions.
The Wicklow front row of Killeen, McKenna and Dickenson produced crucial scrum turnovers and penalties and crucial times. This allowed Wicklow to clear their lines and work their way down field.
With 15 minutes to go, big centre Ben Porter got over in the corner after some slick work by the backs. The conversion was narrowly wide but Wicklow led 17–3 and there was daylight between the two sides.
The Skerries heads never dropped until Wes Wojnar pounced on a loose ball, broke a tackle and burst through to score the clinching try with ten minutes left. Keegans conversion made it 24–3 and Wicklow were out of sight.
The bench was emptied and Wicklow kept the pressure on right until the end. Skerries did get over for a deserved try which left the final score at 24-10.
Wicklow will have been happy with this performance. The pack were powerful and mobile. The set piece was strong. The backs looked dangerous in attack and the entire team was fiercely resolute in defence.
And so on to the semi-finals. Wicklow were drawn to face old foes Tullow. Tullow are the reigning champions and appear to be timing their run perfectly in an effort to retain the coveted trophy. They beat a tough Gorey side in Gorey to secure their place in the semi finals and will be relishing the thoughts of Wicklow.
Neither side will fear the other but they will respect each other and both know that they will be in for a ferocious battle in Cill Dara RFC on April 15.
This game will be an absolute cracker. Tullow will bring a huge crowd so it is important that as many Wicklow supporters make the effort to get behind the team. Unfortunately our Womens team are due to play their second round cup match on the same day in Railway Union.
Favourites Ashbourne were drawn to face Enniscorthy in the other semi-final which should be another fantastic game. This match is being played directly after the Wicklow game in a mouth watering double header in Cill Dara RFC on April 15.
Next Sunday the second XV are back in action against Co Carlow RFC in the seconds cup quarter-final in Ashtown Lane.
Afterwards, Leinster and Ireland’s Josh van der Flier presented the jersey from his second cap against Italy to club President Bert Nicholson. Josh, who started his rugby career in Wicklow, has agreed to become the ambassador for the Wicklow Warriors who have been formed following the “disability rugby for all” camp which was held in the club last week. The camp was a huge success with over 30 men, women and children taking part. The Wicklow warriors will play non contact rugby against local clubs like Greystones and DLSP who have been pioneers in this fantastic initiative.
Wicklow: Eanna Killeen, Jack McKenna, Neil Dickenson, George Naoupu, Liam Gaffney, Andy Doyle, Jonathan Hopkins, Wes Wojnar, Billy Ngawini, Brian Keegan, Dean Leonard, Ben Porter, Shane Farrar, Alex Porter Stephen Duffy, Subs Stephen Swan, Seamus O’Brien, Jay Byrne, Denis Higgins, Ben Armstrong.