1st XV secure valuable away win at Naas

This fixture has produced some thrillers in recent seasons and as the pre-match tunes played over the PA system those in attendance were looking forward to another hard fought battle.

The first leg of the Stephen Mooney Trophy kicked off in perfect autumnal conditions. Both teams started off looking to attack at every opportunity. Only for some excellent Wesley maul defence after 5 minutes the game remained scoreless. Wesley’s lineout began in great fashion, forming a maul and working their way into the Naas half with the aid of a break off the back from hooker Kieran O’Shea. Possession was maintained well through Deegan, Molloy and Larke as Wesley earned an attacking scrum on the clubhouse touchline in the Naas 22. The visitors launched a well executed play with the elusive Tommy O’Callaghan providing the initial go forward. Again Wesley maintained possession up front as the one off runners made progress towards the Naas line. At this stage the Naas defence had been sucked in and full back Tom Larke gave Eoin Murphy the opportunity to step inside his winger to score the game’s first try. A difficult conversion from the sideline sailed across the posts as Wesley took the lead 5 nil after 12 mins.

Over the course of the next 15 mins Wesley took control of the game but failed to increase the points on the scoreboard.  Man of the match Will Fay, the 2 Pims and Molloy were all to the fore during this period of dominance. The away team were thwarted by a mixture of excellent Naas defence and individual errors as they looked certain to score numerous times.

History tells us that Naas are never out of these games and just before halftime they started to make inroads into the Wesley half. A strong carry from number 8 Ryan Casey resulted in a slightly misjudged tackle and a Naas penalty. Veteran fullback Peter Osborne stepped up to convert the regulation kick from just to the left of the posts to leave the score at 5-3 after 38 minutes.  Straight from the kick-off Naas looked to go on the attack again.  Harry Noonan, who was superb all day, came up with a powerful tackle to dislodge the ball and force a knock on in a promising position for Wesley.  Off the resulting scrum Fay broke at pace and was halted by a high tackle. Cassidy converted the penalty and restored Wesley’s 5 point lead at halftime.

Wesley came quickly out of blocks in the 2nd half and were looking to take advantage of a strengthening breeze. Will Fay was again heavily involved as the visitors put multiple phases together. 10 minutes had passed when Wesley, having been awarded a 5-metre scrum, made the pressure pay with the games 2nd try.  A big shove from the Wesley pack resulted in the ball popping out of the back of the scrum. Scrum-half Willem Johnstone was quick to capitalise as he smartly gathered the ball to play an inviting floating pass to winger Tommy O’Callaghan. O’Callaghan on his return from injury dotted down and Cassidy added the conversion the give Wesley a 15-3 lead.

It was then the hosts turn to put some attack play together as the home crowd found their voice. A clever lineout move almost resulted in the home team’s first try of the game. Hooker Aidan O’Kane received a return pass off the top and as he looked certain to score Eoin Murphy put in a huge tackle to bundle him into touch.  Moments later Wesley were down to 14 men with Cassidy sent for 10 in the bin for an adjudged high tackle.  Osborne opted to kick to the corner instead of taking the easy points available. The decision was quickly rewarded with Donal Conroy fielding a well executed cross field kick to score the try. Osborne added the 2 points leaving the score 15-10 to Wesley going into the final quarter.  It was 14 v 14 a few minutes later as another high tackle, this time on Reuben Pim, was punished with a yellow. Wesley themselves opted for a kick to the corner as they looked to extend the lead. This time Naas defended resiliently and held up a Wesley maul.

In an entertaining last 5 minutes both teams looked to attack with some end to end rugby. Some fine play by both sides almost led to what would have been one of the tries of the season. Wesley captain Josh Pim showing great fitness was quick out of the line to force a turnover. The loose ball was efficiently moved to young flyer Paidi Farrell who ran 40 metres before some excellent link play between Molloy and replacement halfback Andrew Doyle. Rian Handley was then set free before some more last ditch defence left the Donnybrook men just short of the line.

It wasn’t until the final play of the game that Wesley put the game to bed. Doyle, Deegan and Cassidy all involved before Farrell stretched over the line for his 2nd try in two games. Cassidy made the full time score 22-10 and secured a valuable away win for his team.

Next up we entertain table toppers Old Belvedere in Donnybrook on Saturday.