WICKLOW BOW OUT
Brave effort but Tullow march on to final
TULLOW RFC WICKLOW RFC 14 5
WICKLOW RFC bowed out of the Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup at the semi-final stage when they lost to an excellent Tullow side on Sunday in Cill Dara RFC. THE game was played as the first instalment of a unique double header with Enniscorthy taking on Ashbourne in the second semi-final directly afterwards.
A large crowd from both clubs travelled and the game was played with a strong wind at Tullow’s backs in the first half.
Tullow were first to score with an early penalty to make it 3–0. Wicklow were competing well and soaked up everything Tullow threw at them in the early stages.
The Carlow men used the wind well to pin Wicklow in their own half, but when Wicklow did break out, they looked very dangerous.
It was the 24th minute before Tullow scored again with another well taken penalty to make it 6–0.
Wicklow looked like holding out until half-time but kicked away a ball while on the attack in Tullow’s 22. The resultant kick was gathered and sent 70 metres down the pitch. A strong kick chase and Wicklow were in trouble. A penalty was conceded and Tullow led by 9–0.
Wicklow’s response was impressive. They worked their way into Tullows 22. As the clock wound down they were awarded a lineout close to the Tullow line. A series of pick and drives were repelled but eventually the incessant pressure told and Billy Ngawini dived over to score a well deserved try. The conversion was inches wide but Wicklow were back in business at 9–5 at half-time.
Wicklow turned around with the wind at their backs and would have been quite happy with the way the first half had panned out.
Early in the second half disaster struck. A simple Garryowen wasn’t dealt with by Wicklow’s defence. Tullow gathered the ball and moved it wide. A Wicklow defender slipped off a tackle and like lightning Tullow were in for a well taken try.
The conversion was missed but it was 14–5 in the fifth minute of the second half. Remarkably that was to be the last score of the game.
Influential out half Brian Keegan went off soon afterward with a concussion.
Wicklow, with Stephen Duffy at the helm, kicked their way into Tullow territory.
They spent large portions of the second half in the Tullow 22. They had chance after chance but Tullow’s defence was ferocious and they knew exactly what they needed to do. They battered back each Wicklow attack, forced the turnover time and time again to clear their lines. They slowed the game down and broke up any Wicklow momentum.
Cramp took hold in the purple and white ranks with every break in play and a frustrated Wicklow side began to run out of time.
With 15 minutes left Wicklow spurned a simple three points and opted for a scrum.
A brave decision but one that back fired. Wicklow continued to attack but a lack of patience in the redzone proved costly.
There is no doubt they had the chances, but they failed to convert them and ultimately that proved to be their undoing.
Wicklow were gutted at the final whistle. To a man they had left nothing on the field but it simply wasn’t to be their day.
Tullow were elated. The Carlow men had four chances to score and to their credit they converted all four.
Wicklow had maybe ten chances to score and they frustratingly only managed one.
Credit has to go to Tullow for their phenomenal defence and there is no doubt that they were deserving winners on the day with an exemplary display of cup rugby.
Wicklow will no doubt feel the loss of experienced players of the calibre of captain John Jenkinson, Eoin O’Sullivan, Andy Doyle and eventually Brian Keegan was a factor.
They will however be cheered by the sight of the young men who stepped into their shoes. Jonathan Hopkins who has had an outstanding season, Luke Thompson who made his senior debut and looks like a future club captain and the excellent Jack McGrath who was playing his second senior game ever.
Overall while Wicklow were very disappointed on the day their season has to be viewed as a real success. They secured fourth place in Leinster League Division 1A and will look forward to the All Ireland Cup next season.
The season closed out with two good cup runs to the semi-final in both firsts and seconds cups.
The club now look forward to hosting the Provincial Towns Cup final between Tullow and the outstanding Enniscorthy side who demolished Ashbourne in the other semi-final. What a day that will be on Sunday April 29 at 4.15 pm.
Remarkably, the game will be broadcast live on Eirsport TV. A huge crowd is likely and there will be a busy two weeks ahead for the committee and volunteers as they prepare for what will be a historic day in Ashtown lane.
Wicklow: Eanna Killeen, Jack McKenna, Neil Dickenson, George Naoupu, Jack McGrath, Andy Doyle, Jonathan Hopkins, Wes Wojnar, Billy Ngawini, Brian Keegan, Dean Leonard, Ben Porter, Shane Farrar, Alex Porter Stephen Duffy. Subs: Luke Thompson, Seamus O’Brien, Jay Byrne, Denis Higgins, Ben Armstrong. PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY PRESSREADER PressReader.com +1 604 278 4604 ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY . ORIGINAL COPY COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW