2nd XV V. Wanderers Match Report
A wet and windy night in Stradbrook road could dampen only the turf as the Rock spirits
remained high heading into the game.
Commentary on the evening came in the form of an All-star cast of Colclough, Edwards,
Fennelly and McMahon .
Despite the haunting conditions , the visitors made the most of some slick handling and
hard running to cross the whitewash for the first try of the game after only 5 minutes,
Conversion added , 7-0 Wanderers.
The opening score however , served only to poke the proverbial Blackrock bear ,as through
some sublime ball carrying , the Rolland marshalled backline put speedster Keith Aherne in
for his sides opening score. Much to the delight of former captain Colclough and his
illustrious commentary team.
Mawhinney could only shave the paint off the outside of the right post with the conversion ,
7-5 wanderers.
Sloppy breakdown work from the hosts allowed Wanderers a penalty on 30 minutes inside
the rock half .Into the corner and up the jumper said the merry men of Merrion road as a
rolling maul provided them with their second try of the game.
Posts split . 14 – 5 wanderers
Not to be deterred, the rock men instantly began applying pressure in the wanderers half.
As the clock hit 40, the home team won a penalty well within kicking range however
Captain Keyes was having none of it. To the corner he said , and to the corner they went.
Cries of “Aeroplane, Bojangles and Roman Candle” could be heard ringing across the
Stradbrook moors as the commentary team aggressively and audibly requested one of
Coach O’Briens fabled trick plays from the forthcoming lineout. Ask and ye shall receive said the gaffer. Ball in and quick as a flash , debutante Alex Doyle swanned over from a perfectly executed lineout move known as the “outback steakhouse”.
O'Brien was seen giggling with glee on the sideline as the extras again eluded Mawhinney.
14-10 Wanderers Halftime.
The second half began with some tight exchanges between the sides , luckily the rain
decided to give it a rest for a brief period. Thus allowing rock to get into their fluid, James
Blaney masterminded shape , which saw the home side earn a lineout on the wanderers
22m line.
The moment that the rather large crowd had all been waiting for had finally arrived…….. AEROPLANE. “Roll on” cried McMahon from the press box as the ruthless rock
maul rumbled over the wanderers line through Sean Molony .
Regular service resumed as Mawhinney caressed over the conversion to give the Hosts a 3
point lead.
Not even the reopening of the heavens themselves could douse Cillian Daly as the rock
fullback was on fire for the next 10 minutes . A sustained period of tenacious and brave
Rock D coupled with flirtatious attacking flair from Daly saw Limerick native Jamie
Mawhinney touchdown for the bonus point Try.
Mawhinney, still positively frothing at the mouth after securing his first Meatpie in the Blue
and White , pushed the conversion just wide of the right post.
22-14 Rock
Heroic transition defense from winger Maher and (still alight) Daly , gave Quarterback Rolland the ball in space on the counter attack. The fleet-footed out-half put together a hop, skip and a jump to insert himself into a half gap and find a galloping Alex Doyle with the
offload . “He’s like a bloody Gazelle” noted Sam Murphy audibly , as Doyle set off steaming
towards the opposition tryline .Good cover defense from wanderers forced a bread and
butter offload to Sam Small who sauntered over for Rocks 5th try.
Mawhinney with the extras , regular service , 29-14 Rock.
Determined , fundamental , Williamstown Rugby had given Rock a 15 point lead with 5 to go on the clock. However complacency seemed to have infiltrated the rock ranks as a loose ball was toed ahead by the opposition and touched down to cut the deficit to 8 with a tense two minutes remaining.
One final defensive set , on rocks own tryline saw hooker Stephen McGloughlin hoof the
ball into touch somewhere between butlers pantry and Killiney beach as the ref blew the
final whistle to bring the game to a close .
“Clear eyes , 5 points , LETS BOOZE” exclaimed Skipper Keyes as he led his team into the
sheds.
Final score : Rock 29 – 21 wanderers.