AIL rugby: Sunday's Well fail to kick on in defeat to Enniscorthy
SATURDAY was a frustrating afternoon for Sunday’s Well, as an inability to exert any control either side of half-time effectively saw them lose out to Enniscorthy in an entertaining contest.
They at least managed to secure a losing bonus-point through a Michael Moynihan try, but couldn’t push on for a win. The result leaves them in the thick of a very congested relegation battle in Division 2C of the Energia All Ireland League.
As with everywhere else in the country; there was a very cold blustery gale at Musgrave Park; although it remained dry throughout.
The Well had the advantages of the wind in the first half and applied pressure immediately. Having established territorial advantage, their forwards carried strongly with Jonathon Gardiner making some particularly powerful carries.
Eventually, Cormac Kelliher managed to round the defence and touch-down with Brian Derham making a superb touchline conversion.
Enniscorthy though were always dangerous with open-field runners and found several holes through the ‘Well defence.
The hosts' scramble defence was strong throughout but they did eventually concede after Timmy Morrissey carried off a scrum mid-way through the half.
The Well responded immediately mid-way; with Conor O’Brien; who had an inspirational performance throughout; blocked a kick and gathered the ball to race forty metres to score under the posts with Derham converting.
The Well struggled to set a platform after this and were also getting frustrated with a series of tight officiating decisions going against them. They ended the half defending their own line but held on to their 14-5 lead.
They invited pressure as they knocked on from the kick-off in the second half.
The Well defended formidably but conceded several penalties with Ian Murphy eventually being yellow-carded. The pressure eventually told with Ivan Jacob scoring two tries in as many minutes; while Ben Kidd converted both.
The Well were still on the back-foot and an excellent break by winger Billy Wickham set up Dave Murphy for the Wexford side’s bonus-point try.
With the game seeming to be beyond them; the Well regrouped. Conor O’Brien inspired the fight-back with some big surges in defence and being a constant thorn on Enniscorthy’s line-out.
The Well also started to earn a series of penalties with Enniscorthy getting two yellow cards.
They found gaps around the fringes with powerful forward runners and it was Michael Moynihan who made the crucial burst to touch-down. Derham’s converted left five points in it with ten minutes remaining.
The Well couldn’t regain to win the game and the frustration culminated in Cyprian Jouve receiving a red card.
C Kelliher, C O’Brien, M Moynihan tries; B Derham 3 cons.
T Morrissey, I Jacob (2), D Murphy tries; B Kidd 3 cons.
B Derham; J Kiernan, E Geary (c),R Buckley, R O’Keeffe; B Pope, P Arigho; I Murphy, J Barry, E O’Connell; J Barnes, J Gardiner; C O’Brien, C Jouve, C Kelliher.
D Lacey, S Desmond, M Moynihan, G O’Sullivan, J Barrett.
R Dunne; I Jacob, H O’Neill, I Poole, B Wickham; B Kidd, A Dunne; A Todisco, D Murphy, P Waters; L Stamp, T Stamp; N Doyle, B Bolger, T Morrissey.
R Cahill, J Doyle, S Hadley, T Ryan, N Parker.
P O’Connor (IRFU).
