Wanderers hold shape
Wednesday February 17 2010
WANDERERS WERE severely tested but held their shape and overcame the opposition to take the Leinster League win at home in Park Lane on Sunday last.
The victory for Wexford, who had a game in hand, advanced their points tally and with it their league position to second behind Edenderry. Swords are a different team of late and offered a much sterner challenge than their league position would indicate.
Indeed, playing towards town in the first-half, they managed to amass ten points without response from Wexford. The home side did, however, have the territorial upper hand for much of the first 20 minutes but failed to put points on the board. Swords gained momentum and eventually were rewarded with a non-spectacular try in the left corner.
The visitors did, however, have the benefit of a stiff breeze in the firsthalf. Wexford adopted their gameplan to take advantage of this breeze and were awarded a scrum early in the second-half. The pack were again strong in this sector and got the drive forward on almost every occasion.
This time the drive tied in the Swords back row and allowed Mark Whelan to pick from the base and drive over for Wexford's first try. John Flynn converted and added a further two testing penalties to put the home side six points up.
This is always a dangerous lead in rugby and, following a curious penalty decision, Swords kicked themselves a line-out five yards out from Wexford's line. With some big jumpers in their pack, they managed to win their throw and drive in for their second try.
Wexford were now trailing by a point but their pack were beginning to really turn the screw in the scrum and push Swords off most of their ball. With less than 15 minutes to go, Mikey Hanrahan fielded a deep Garryowen in full canter, and cut through the defence before unloading to Logue. Maurice showed a clean pair of heels to the opposition, eventually cutting inside the fullback to score Wexford's second try.
Again, Wexford had that dangerous lead of six points but were determined to maintain the territorial upper hand. Swords were forced to attempt to run from their own '22 to try to secure the win. In the end the ball was overturned and, following several phases, it was spun wide where Mark Goodison was on hand to seal the result in favour of Wexford.
Unfortunately, there was not enough time for Wexford to go all out for the four-try bonus point. Next week Wexford are away to Swords and know exactly what is required to take the points from a resilient outfit.
