Bray People

Wicklow bounce back from Dundalk drubbing

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WICKLOW RFC BOYNE RFC 34 3

WICKLOWS Senior men’s team got back to winning ways with an excellent performanc­e to overpower Boyne at Ashtown Lane on Saturday afternoon. The previous weekend’s thumping by Dundalk was still hurting, when a fired up Wicklow side took the field. The game was played on a wet and damp afternoon but the worst of the rain had cleared away by the time the game kicked off.

Boyne started well and got an early penalty to give them a 0-3 lead. Wicklow responded immediatel­y. A searing break by Billy Ngawini who pulled off a switch with Simon Breen. The powerful winger did brilliantl­y to get over for the home sides opening score. A wonderful touchline conversion from captain Niall Earls made it 7-3 to Wicklow.

Another Billy Ngawini line break saw Simon Breen in the clear again. This time he popped the ball inside to the onrushing Mark Nicholson who got over for the try. The young wing forward who has just been called into the Irish under 19+ squad, had an outstandin­g match. The conversion was missed but Wicklow led 12-3.

Just before the break a Niall Earls penalty made it 15-3 to Wicklow at half-time.

five minutes after the resumption a scrum to Wicklow saw the ball moved wide. Some slivck handling by the Wicklow backs saw Simon Breen crash over for his second try. The conversion was missed but Wicklow now led 20-3 and appeared in complete control.

The slippery conditions were causing havoc but all of the play was in the Boyne half as the Louthmen struggled to get a foothold in the game.

With 20 minutes left on the clock Wicklow got over for their bonus point try. A powerful burst up the middle by Alex Porter saw him crash over to score under the posts. The Earls conversion made it 27 - 3 .

Boyne stirred from their slumber and attacked deep in Wicklow territory. Wicklow were in no mood to concede a soft score and a series of ferocious hits saw them force the turnover and clear upfield. Adam Cullen broke clear and released a flying Alex Porter who sprinted fifty metres to score. The conversion meant Wicklow were out of sight at 34 . 3 when the final whistle went.

The win moves Wicklow up to joint second in the league, level on points with Enniscorth­y and just two points behind neighbours Gorey.

The seconds had a good 26-9 win with two tries from Dean Leonard and one from the excellent Fergus Ward who also made his debut for the first XV.

Overall this was a good day at the office for the squad after the disappoint­ment of last weekend.

They will look to back it up this weekend with a tough away trip to Ashbourne. Seconds kick off at 1.30pm with the firsts at 3pm.

Eddie Downes, Jay Byrne, Pablo Castillo, Liam Gaffney, George Naoupu, Brian Shortt, Mark Nicholson, Luke Gersekowsk­i, Denis Higgins, Niall Earls, Simon Breen, Shane Farrar, Billy Ngawini, Adam Cullen, Ben Porter, Eanna Killeen, Jack McKenna, Neil Dickenson, Fergus Ward, Dean Leonard, Alex Porter.

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