Victory in midlands consolidates third place for Wanderers

THE WEXFORD Wanderers first XV travelled to the north midlands on Sunday to play Mullingar in the latest round of Leinster League Division 2A.

Wanderers came into the game after a narrow and disappointing home loss by 24-17 to Cill Dara the previous weekend, and they took to the game early with number 8 Geoghegan getting the opening try which O Corcora converted.

The second score came from Mullingar indiscipline, with O Corcora extending the lead to ten.

Mullingar, however, kept within reach and hauled Wanderers back to parity heading for the break.

However, just on the interval, back row Luke Roche stoleal in for a try which went unconverted to give a narrow lead of 15-10 to Wexford.

In the second period, Wanderers continued to slug it out with Mullingar before centre Colm O Corcora burst through after some quick handling by the backs exposed the home side.

The game continued in the same vein as it was played with neither side racing away until with less than ten minutes left, prop Clancy collected a loose Mullingar clearance kick to sidestep the defence and dance across the line.

Wanderers during the second period utilised the bench to great effect, injecting fresh impetus to the site when needed, with the likes of Seán O Corcora, Kyle Roche and Chris Walsh having an immediate impact when introduced.

The win consolidates Wanderers in third place with the league table starting to spread out, with Newbridge four points ahead while Clondalkin are one point ahead. Next up in the league for Wanderers is leaders Newbridge at Park Lane on November 25, and the prospect of going even with them in the table should be enough to fire them up for the match.

Wanderers do have a game before then, with Kilkenny visiting Park Lane this Wednesday at 8 p.m. for a rescheduled South East League fixture.

Wexford: Robert O’Leary, Graham Grant, Bobby Clancy, John Turner, Darragh Kehoe (capt.), Tom Brennan, Luke Roche, Cartaigh Geoghegan, Stewart Ryan, Seán Stafford, Callum Murphy, Shea Boggan, Colm O Corcora, Liam Barry, Eoin Roche. Subs. - Seán O Corcora, Paul Gannon, Kyle Roche, Chris Walsh, Kevin Birney.