SCT McMullen Cup Semi-Final

Wexford CBS……..22   Naas CBS…….15

Wexford CBS travelled to Tullow to contest their McMullen Cup semi-final v Naas CBS on Wed. 12^th March . Nass were the current holders of the cup, having also defeated Wexford at this stage of the competition last year. The Bokerboys were intent on revenge and a physically big Naas team were equally there for victory. A compelling contest was on the cards.

Wexford fielding without tight head prop James Byrne and second row Joe Coleman , had to restructured their starting team, but not weakened it. Steve Roche moved over to tight head and Donal Moore came on at loose head. Gavin Byrne moved to second row, Conor Fenlon moved from scrum-half to No.7 and Thomas Barry came off the bench to No.9

Wexford had an early lineout and cleanly secured the ball, the maul was formed an Naas were driven backwards. The pack were as strong as ever, no worries there. On 10 mins. The ball was sent into the open field and  centre Josh Healy crashed through the tackle and continued on his merry way to score under the posts. Sean Stafford reliably added the conversion. 7-0.

On 16 mins. Wexford had again got deep in Naas territory and again from the lineout they set the maul in motion, with Mikey Coleman getting the touchdown. Now in dominant form, Wexford bagan to open up and when Eoin Roche drew in the defence, and delicately placed a kick behind them, he had created a scoring opportunity for winger Liam Barry to finish in the corner. 17-0

Naas rallied briefly before half-time and managed to roll a maul of their own over the Wexford line, 17-5 at the interval was a good return.

The early stages of the second-half  was all Wexford, and an intelligent blindside move created a line break which brought Wexford surging up field and within meters off the Naas line, where Sean Stafford engaged a pick and go, to cross the line. 22-5 and comfortable, Wexford were on their way.

The final 10 mins. Had Wexford defending non-stop and some creative decisions allowed Naas record two tries, it was never enough to trouble the eventual result.

Wexford now find themselves with two Leinster finals to play, v St. Fintan's High School, Sutton in the McMullen Final on Thursday 27th March and v East Glendalough in the Leinster Section A League Final in April.