26/11/2022

Metro League – Division 2

Old Wesley 31 – 12 Lansdowne

Coach Ross Barry asked for a good performance and hoped for a victory; he got an excellent performance, but a win against this excellent Old Wesley unit eluded us yet again in this Metro League Division 2 fixture in Donnybrook on Saturday.

Aaron Daly showed the intent of the whole side when he brilliantly jackaled (I’m learning so many new words!)) the Wesley ruck in the opening minutes to start an extended Lansdowne attack.  We threw everything at them, from short crashing attacks to the occasional wider movement. Versatile outhalf, JJ Walsh even chipped over their heads, but the home side’s defence was solid and resolute.  They moved up on our backs quickly, but were never deemed offside and whenever we seemed to breach their walls, they reformed and regrouped with alarming speed and composure.  After nearly ten minutes of our attack being frustrated, our concentration lapsed and we conceded first one, then another penalty in quick succession, handing the hosts an easy exit on a plate.

The league leaders didn’t need to be asked twice and they immediately took advantage of their territorial windfall, sealing the opportunity with a try under the posts on the 15 minutes mark.  7 – 0

While they were in our half they seemed to adjust their meticulous game plan from defence to attack and launched assault after assault on our defences, their pack both strong and mobile and their backs as accomplished at rucking as running.  It wasn’t long before they overcame us again and it was 14 – 0 on the half hour mark.

The onslaught not only left its mark on the scoreboard, but we also lost three players to injuries as they defended bravely.  Captain Rob Kelly and centre Josh Healy wandered dazed to the line, while openside flanker Matt Whelehan also limped ashore.  Ross Barry had to perform the coaching equivalent of the Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes when he mobilized a completely new look back line. It is a credit both to his management and the versatility of this group of players that our play that followed was among our best of the day.

Lansdowne’s answer to the Swiss Army knife, centre Bill MacNamara moved into scrum half where he had an excellent game for the rest of the day.  JJ Walsh moved out to centre, replaced at 10 by Will McEvoy, fresh(ish) from his try scoring appearance in Monkstown the night before. And JJ was joined in the centre by another alumnus of Friday night’s triumph against the Doggos, the multi-tasking Cathal Boyle. Ever willing Luc Van Cauwelaert replaced Matt in the pack

Our revitalized ensemble played like tigers for the following period and this time our sustained attack was rewarded when powerhouse number 8, Rob Hughes went over in the corner for a well-deserved try.  With only a few minutes to go before the break, we would have been happy with the 14 – 5 score line and a chance to regroup, but Wesley had other ideas.  They worked their way back to our red zone – helped again by a couple more lapses by us – and scored an innovative try, reversing their scrum over our line. The half time whistle came before we could convert another strong final attacking phase into points, so the half time score was 21 – 5.

The second half continued in the same vein; excellent expansive and tough rugby being played by both sides, but Wesley were just a bit more disciplined and clever in how they marshaled their resources and the conditions. Early in the second act, as they made their first foray just inside our half they got a penalty and used the wind to slot it over, stretching their lead to 24 – 5 and chipping off another chunk of our resolve.

Throughout this phase, the Bill Mac was excellent in his newfound role at 9, breaking, kicking and linking beautifully with outhalf Will Mc who also sparkled, finding a rare chink in the Wesley armor in his opposite number at 10.  Other notable Lansdowne players throughout this phase were back rows Rob Hughes, Aaron Daly and  replacement Luc Van Cauwelaert.  Throughout this third quarter our set pieces were also strong with Alex McEvoy regularly finding his target in the lineout, Jacques Chapeau and our scrums holding our own heroically against a much larger front row, thanks to the hard work and dark cunning of props Aiden Leahy and, Paddy Butler.

The attrition rate was taking its toll on Wesley too and their bench was called to action almost as much as ours.  But that didn’t seem to make them more vulnerable. We continued to attack them with all our arsenal and they repelled us again and again.  With ten minutes to go, they found themselves gifted with another soft exit and we were back defending on our own line again. Yet again, they quickly capitalized on their opportunity, scoring under our posts. 31 – 5

But the last ten minutes belonged to us.  With the match out of reach, but buoyed by Paddy Butler (The Sage of Ballinhassig) entreaties of “Play for ***king Pride”, we resumed our fiery attack and finally, after more than 90 minutes of play, Old Wesley’s ironclad defences yielded as Aiden Leahy charged over for a try from a lineout maul.  In yet another gesture of this side’s character and defiance, JJ converted from the touchline and the final whistle blew 31 – 12.

The quality of the rugby and the bravery of each side was remarkable, as both squads and management teams shook hands warmly after the match.  Wesley may be worthy league leaders and we may be, well, at the other end of the league, but on that day, the two sides were only separated by a few lapses of concentration and a particularly heavy injury toll.

Match Report – Brian Whelan