WEXFORD WANDERERS put up a brave fight, particularly for the opening 20 minutes, but when Enniscorthy scored their first try the gulf in class showed in this Newstalk Provincial Towns Cup second round tie in Park Lane on Sunday last.

Wanderers might have had one eye on their promotion quest against Rathdrum this weekend and as a result they didn't play their talisman and coach, Maurice Logue, with Colm Callery also rested.

This was a rare opportunity for Wexford to pitch their talents against the Division 1 side. Wexford are strongly contesting league promotion and are currently in the frame for jumping to Division 2. Enniscorthy, for their part, travelled full of confidence, having just narrowly missed out on their own promotion hopes to Division 1A. They are also recognised as something of cup specialists and are always difficult to beat in this competition.

Both teams started a little nervy as they felt their way into the game. Territory and penalties were exchanged in the first 20 minutes, with both sides amassing six points apiece through Robbie Casey and Ivan Poole. Poole broke inside Wanderers' '22 to score the first try which he converted, and really after that Wexford were on the back foot.

The Wexford pack appeared to fare slightly better in the set-pieces, winning more than their share of the ball. However, in the loose Enniscorthy's turnover rate far exceeded that of the home side. As such, their amount of attacking possession was also greater and this they used to great advantage.

Once possession was won they spun wide, showing slick hands and good all-round pace. With the Wexford back line much altered to cater for the unavailability of many regulars, their defence suffered.

The Enniscorthy back line thrived on the hard ground and accounted for three tries in each half. Despite being matched in the set-pieces, Enniscorthy had the edge in the loose. With Wexford often struggling to maintain possession in the contact area, they failed to get any kind of rhythm going.

Enniscorthy scored five more tries after Poole's initial effort, as Wanderers just couldn't cope with the pace of the backs. Rod Guiney added a further converted try before the break and it was 20-6 at the interval.

Enniscorthy drove home their superiority in the second-half, adding more tries, and the highlight was a brilliant Richard Dunne run from his own '22. Dunne added another, this time after a strong run from halfway.

Rod Guiney scored his second and Stephen Dalton also got his name on the scoreboard with a fine individual effort.

Wanderers never gave up to be fair and John Sutherland, Aidan Stewart and Chris Walsh kept the forwards working while scrum-half Ger Cullen strove tirelessly to try to keep his team going forward.

Enniscorthy are playing two divisions above Wanderers and it showed as they face far stronger opposition every week. Wanderers will learn from this game and it should help in their promotion charge. However, in the dying minutes they rallied and, following a succession of phases, the ball was spun wide to Mark Goodison who crashed over for their only try.

Enniscorthy got a tough draw in the quarter-finals on Sunday next away to Boyne who finished second in Division 1A this year, while Wexford are away for a crucial league encounter with Rathdrum.