Wanderers get show back on the road
WANDERERS PUT their Leinster League campaign back on track with an emphatic victory over Rathdrum at Park Lane on Sunday last.
Wexford scored no less than five tries over the 80 minutes and held their opposition to a mere three points. This was accomplished despite Wexford having to deal with numerous enforced positional changes due to a recent run of injuries and enforced sabaticals.
Wexford had territorial dominance for the first 20 minutes but struggled to break the deadlock, with several opportunities let slip by. It was broken, however, when slick inter-passing between Casey, Flynn and Logue allowed the latter to find space to crash over for the first score out wide on the left. This went unconverted but, similar to the previous week, Flynn was one hundred per cent from the boot thereafter.
In total he accounted for a further four conversions and two penalties. The forwards continued to dominate up front, testing the opposition with assertive, direct running.
Soon after the first touchdown, a series of forward-dominated phases resulted in straight hands to the left where Mikey Hanrahan was on hand to crash over to add his try. Again John Sutherland assisted in the line to spread the ball wide and helped to create the overlap.
Another try was added when Rathdrum's left winger failed to deal with a high ball. The resulting pick and drives from the pack soon found captain Aidan Stewart who crashed through the defence to put Wexford well in the ascendancy. The home side turned 22-3 ahead.
Similar to the first quarter, Wexford lacked the clinical touch and indeed were a little sluggish. This was probably due as much to a concerted effort by Rathdrum than to Wexford lowering the intensity. There is only one thing worse than losing, and that is conceding a bonus point in the process.
Rathdrum didn't have the match of the Wexford forwards and Mark Whelan made good yardage when picking from the base of the scrum. He was rewarded with his own try on the half hour when a concerted maul from the forwards drove a beleaguered Rathdrum defence backwards.
Not to be outdone, Mick Doyle in the dying minutes intercepted close to half-way and was rewarded with a gallop to score his own try and embellish Wexford's dominance.
Next week Wexford, who have a game in hand, host Dublin side Swords at home. A win here will put Wexford second and only three points behind the leaders.
Swords have struggled in this division but Wexford may be warned as their results of late have improved dramatically and if allowed they could punish complacency. With every game mounting in importance for Wexford, increased home support is essential and most welcome. Kick-off is at 3 p.m. on Sunday next.
