J1 League – Old Wesley 10 Clontarf 39
by Mark Byrnes
Clontarf made it three wins from three in the Leinster J1 league in Donnybrook with a convincing win over Old Wesley.
On a damp evening, Clontarf took the lead with a try in the corner from Colin Murphy after eight minutes. Old Wesley cut the lead to two points with a penalty in front of the posts on 23 minutes, but Phil Howard responded five minutes later with a similar effort.
A brilliant move in the back line sent winger Johnny McDevitt sprinting in for a well deserved try with Howard adding the difficult conversion to make it 15-3. Howard added a further penalty shortly before the interval to leave it 18-3 at the break.
Clontarf began the second half stronger and after an opportunity close to the Wesley try line was missed, on 50 minutes sub David Brua weaved through the porous defence to touch down under the posts- again Howard adding the extras.
Old Wesley responded quickly with a converted try from a quick lineout to close the gap to 25-10. However, on the hour Clontarf took charge again and a scrum close to the posts allowed number 8, Phil Purdue crash through to score a try and secure the bonus point.
Clontarf capped a good team performance with a try in the closing minutes. Phil Howard converted to conclude a satisfactory end to a good game of rugby.