Seconds 14 – OLBC 10

The Seconds continued they excellent form when defeating a gritty OLBC side 14-10 in a local derby on Sunday in Crowley Park.

On a damp cold January day, with a heavy pitch under foot, both sides produced a typically hard fought match between local rivals which ended with an incredibly tense, tight finish.

Wegians got off to a bright start, throwing the ball around and playing with abandon. However OLBC weathered the early storm and powered their way into the match with some powerful scrummaging, rucking and mauling which led to the first kickable penalty of the game but the kick was unsuccessful.

Following that let-off the Sky Blues upped the tempo and manufactured a kickable penalty which centre Dave Clarke slotted. 3-0 Wegians.

OLBC came back into the game but were unable to break a resolute Galwegian defense. Wegians eventually broke the siege and swept downfield with a brilliant break from the inspirational second row Dave O'Hara, the ball was expertly recycled a couple of times before an exquisite chip from scrumhalf Marty Connolly was superbly gathered by fullback Gary O'Brien to score in the corner. 8-0

The half-time score of 8-0 was somewhat harsh on OLBC who had dominated possession and territory but Wegians stiff defense was not for bending.

OLBC came out all guns blazing in the second half and forced numerous penalties from the home team which eventually led to the yellow carding of substitute prop Martin Fox. From the ensuing penalty OLBC got their first points of the day. 8-3.

The visitors made excellent use of the extra man and quickly scored a try just to the left of the posts which was converted to give them the lead for the first time early in the second half. 8-10.

OLBC continued to put pressure on Wegians but once Fox came back on the field the balance of power swayed towards the home side. With the clock ticking down the Sky Blues worked themselves deep into the OLBC 22 and eventually forced a penalty after going close to crossing the whitewash a couple of times. Clarke slotted the penalty to put the home side back in from with just over 5 minutes to go. 11-10

The young Wegians side continued their dominance of the now tiring visitors and worked their way back into the OLBC 22 where outhalf Ross Shaughnessy expertly slotted an insurance drop goal. 14-10

With the clock running ever so slowly to the 80 minutes, OLBC forced Wegians back on the defense and forced a Wegian scrum on their own 5-metre line. The visitors produced a huge shove which resulted in a turnover and a 5 metre scrum to themselves.

The tension was now palpable both on and off the field. The scrum was set, the ball put in, there was a second or two of a defiant stand from OLBC before the huge wave of pressure from the Wegian 8 drove them backwards and forced a penalty which allowed Wegians get the ball off the field and claim a superb victory.