Old Wesley’s return to AIL Division 1A brought a cracking contest to Castle Avenue, with Tarf racing into a 19–3 lead before the visitors fought back to lead 22–19. Tarf eventually regained control to finish 38–22 winners in an entertaining first meeting between the sides in the top flight.
So, 29 years wandering in the wilderness and finally Old Wesley are back in AIL Division 1A and, on Saturday, played Clontarf in the AIL for the first time ever! Hard to believe that we played Old Wesley in the last century, before the 4G, when beer was cheap, phones were attached to the wall and nobody had a clue what an algorithm was. Ah, the good old days!
Saturday was beautiful in Castle Avenue. Warm, sunny, with a blue sky dappled with clouds worthy of a Turner painting. The mood was slightly off-centre, with as much chat about the 150th celebration booklet (brilliant) as about the game.
Despite the pre-match nerves, the game itself lived up to neutral predictions, with a beefed up Old Wesley 15 scrapping mightily to knock Tarf out of any rhythm and Tarf threatening consistently for the first 15.
First score went to the home side on 13 minutes when Wes conceded under pressure and the Tarf lineout maul did the needful, for 7 0.
Wes responded when a break by their 15 was carried on by their 9 and, in the next phase, Oisin McCormack was very unlucky to be pinged for a high tackle, as he stripped the ball. The penalty was converted for 7 3.
Just before the end of the first quarter Tarf conceded a scrum at a lineout and promptly blasted the visitors off the ball, Sam Owen’s broke blind, Peter Maher carried close and the monsters were there to clear a path for Harry Goslin to score on his debut for 12 3.
With 25 gone relentless pressure led to a close penalty and Alex Soroka could not be stopped on a surge for 19 3.
Tarf then invited Wes on to them by faffing outside their 22, but had the wherewithal to repulse two surges for their line, before the away pressure told. A long free kick from Tarf gave the visitors the ball in space. With time to set it up they worked it beautifully down the left, where Tarf conceded a penalty for a high shot. The lineout was a well-rehearsed move at the front and Wes were in for their first AIL Div 1A try in 29 years and 19 8.
Buoyed by their success, they were soon back at the Tarf line and scored on the left after a delicate cross-kick left their winger one-on-one with a home defender.
Half time was 19 15 to Tarf.
The second half was barely live when Old Wesley took the lead with a try under the home posts. Looking at 19 22 from 19 3 was a sobering sight and it wasn’t down to luck. Wes were worth full value for their lead with their Australian brothers in the centre leading the charge. However, they’d had their moment in the sun and wouldn’t score again.
Tarf reorganised, didn’t panic and began to test the visitors defence with some fast paced phases and some powerful carries. From a lineout on the Wes line, the visitors conceded a high shot and Alex Soroka’s fast tap got him home for his second and 26 22.
As we approached the 4th quarter, a goal line drop out was returned up the middle by Sean Lavin; the ball was moved right where the move looked to have stalled only for Dylan O’Grady to appear mysteriously through a crowd of defenders to put Sam Owen’s in for 33 22.
It was left to Fionn Gilbert to add the final swagger with an outrageous over the head dummy which created space for Alex Soroka to put Peter Maher in for 38 22 where it stayed until full time.
Congratulations to Old Wesley on their return to Div 1A. The game was played in the best spirit of rugby, which is as much down to the fact that it was the first match of the season and also that as it was Old Wesley’s first game back there is yet, no history among the players to motivate and get the blood up !
Next game is away to the champions St Mary’s ……. Plenty to get flared about there !!!