In their last AIL game of the season, City of Armagh First XV tried hard to repel an excellent Old Wesley side who deservedly won Division 1B ahead of Dublin University. When the sides met last September at Donnybrook, Armagh were determined to start their 1B games positively, but went down 21-12 to a young Wesley side. In the return fixture at home, Armagh were never able to match the size and intensity of the team who won the league in fine fashion, winning 14 of their league games with 11 try bonus points.
Armagh on the other hand, won 9 of their games with 7 try bonus points ending in 7thposition. Old Wesley knew Dublin University were breathing down their necks and had to get a maximum 5 points against Armagh as they knew only a win would suffice with a try bonus.
Armagh went into the game with their captain Shea O’ Brien missing through illness and without any Ulster involvement. Sam Cunningham came back on the wing with Tim McNeice reverting to fullback. Curtis Pollock came back into the back row and gave 110 per cent effort in what was the strongest pack available. Injuries have really taken their toll this year. Old Wesley won the toss and knowing that storm David would be whipping up in the second half, played into the wind.
Armagh tried hard but couldn’t get a foothold in the game with Wesley playing with so much intensity. It didn’t help their cause when the referee gave Wesley 5 early penalties. Despite heroic defence on their own line, Armagh conceded 2 tries after 20 minutes and with both Dougan and Anderson were sent to the sin bin. Wesley kept the tempo up to go 19-0 ahead in the first half. Every time Armagh pressed in the Wesley 22, they could not win their lineout ball and were not able to take whatever slim opportunities they had.
With the wind getting stronger after the 50 minute mark and Armagh trying desperately to get back into the game, Wesley got their vital 4th try and bonus point and their confidence grew. They scored another 26 points in the second half to leave Armagh 45-0 down, suffering perhaps their heaviest defeat in years. The Old Wesley supporters were jubilant and congratulations to Wesley for winning the league and getting promotion to 1A. It has been a long time since they were there and despite being the best side in 1B, they will find life in 1A much more difficult. It is hard to find positives from this game except to say that their tackling at times was ferocious and there will be a lot of sore bodies over the Easter period.
This will sound as sour grapes, but the penalty count against Armagh was the highest it has ever been. Tackle behaviour has to be better, but frequently high shots from Wesley did not seem to be penalised and three yellow cards to one seems a bit unbalanced. Wesley only got their yellow card in the last 5 minutes, while Timmy McNeice got his for retaliation.
The club will be now saying goodbye to Rocky Olsen and Nick Murray their two overseas players. Both played their hearts out last Saturday and tackled everything that moved. Others no doubt will be considering retirement after putting in such effort over the years. Injuries have hurt the local club hard this year and many will be still doing their rehabilitation over the summer months. Other younger players such as William McMahon made their AIL debut on Saturday.
A philosophical head coach Chris Parker congratulated Old Wesley on their promotion. He was disappointed with the last couple of results at the end of the season, but praised the physicality of the team’s defensive sets. Old Wesley capitalised on Armagh’s errors, but he didn’t think the home side had enough ball to trouble Wesley.
