Wexford C.B.S....17 D.L.S. Churchtown....15
Another final appearance awaits our SCT as they have qualified to meet Newpark Comprehensive in The Vinny Murray Plate Final next Tuesday.
While we won it was far from perfect, but what was there in abundance was our absolute resolution not to surrender, play until you ' hear the fat lady sing' and all that. We started with full-back Liam Barry and scrum-half Conor Fenlon, both out through illness. Both Evan Dunbar and Thomas Barry stepped in for their first starts of the year and acquitted themselves very well. Some early possession in the opposing 22 failed to yield a try, but centre Sean Stafford made a snap decision and clinically executed a drop goal to open our account. 3-0. We didn't have the 'fire in the belly' and failed to press home our physical advantage which we were enjoying in the pack. Patience, patience, patience - Triple P. It will be back next week.
D.L.S. pressurised us late in the half and crossed the line for two tries. We looked tired but the feeling at half time was one of optimism as we had yet to ignite.
Territory was the name of the game and within five minutes of the restart Collie Joyce-Ahearne had crashed over to score. Sean Stafford converted. 10-10. Unfortunately we didn't manage to build on this and after 20 mins of the second half they scored again and went 15-10 up.
Time for impact changes and on came Ciaran Kavanagh and Joe Coleman. They gave us fresh impetus and with only two minutes left on the clock and a five metre scrum, we were in good position, just needed to execute the plan. Kav carried hard, quick ruck ball and Joe Coleman crashed over the ruck, try, thank you very much. Sean Stafford needed to kick the conversion for the victory, no better man. Flags raised, job done, phew, that was close.
Team: James Roche, Steve Roche, James Byrne, Darragh Comiskey, Michael Maguire, Gavin Byrne, David Kavanagh, Collie Joyce-Ahearne (capt.), Thomas Barry, Eoin Roche, Mikey Roche, Josh Healy, Ruairi Devereux, Sean Stafford and Evan Dunbar.
Subs used: Ciaran Kavanagh, Dean Kehoe, Joe Coleman, Richie Cleary, Matthew Devereux.
Eoin in attack.
Air David
Try time Collie