Emphatic win for Wexford in derby
THE WEXFORD Wanderers first XV travelled to New Ross on Sunday for the first derby contest of the season in Leinster League Division 2A.
Wanderers came into the game on foot of a disappointing loss to table-toppers Clondalkin after an opening round win over Railway Union the previous weekend.
Wanderers were first on the scoreboard with a try from back row Tom Brennan before a penalty from Colm O Corcora extended the lead.
The game settled into a typical derby slugfest before Corey Carty cut through the New Ross defence to allow winger Callum Murphy storm under the posts to gift O Corcora the easiest of conversions for a 15-0 lead at the interval.
In the second period, despite intense pressure, replacement prop Redmond ran a try in from 25 yards out to add to New Ross woes, with O Corcora again adding the points.
Wanderers, however, let the foot off the gas for the next 15 minutes and allowed New Ross to pressure their lines, eventually conceding an uncoverted try.
The impact of the score was instant for Wexford who immediately replied with a second try from Murphy who burned up the touchline after a poor clearance kick by New Ross.
This was quickly followed by full-back Eoin Roche who circled the New Ross defence to score under the posts.
To complete matters, Luke Roche also got on the scoresheet before the end with a try in the corner.
The win, which also secured a bonus point, sets Wanderers up nicely for the rescheduled fixture with Portlaoise on Sunday.
It should be an interesting contest as Portlaoise managed a narrow win over league pace-setters Clondalkin.
Kick-off is at 3 p.m. and is preceded by the J2 fixture.
Wexford: Bobby Clancy, Graham Grant, Willie Morris, John Turner, Darragh Kehoe (capt.), Tom Brennan, Luke Roche, Cartaigh Geoghegan, Kevin Roche, Paul Gannon, Callum Murphy, Colm O Corcora, Corey Carty, Liam Barry, Eoin Roche. Subs. - Shea Boggan, Kevin Birney, Seán Redmond, Barry Ryan, Chris Walsh.