Thirds 26 – Sligo 12

The 3rds started back into the league campaign after the Christmas break with a re fixed match away to Sligo RFC.

The bus was loaded with 20 players and supporters in the hope of extending their league winning run.

The game got under way in a cold crisp dry day, something you don’t always get on the trip up north.

Galwegians kicked off into the Sligo half with the sun in their opponents’ eyes.

Wegians were awarded a penalty in the first 2 minutes for hands in the ruck from Sligo. the resulting kick from Wegians scrumhalf Colm McGuinness was sadly to the right and wide.

Wegians received the kick off and got the game going as shortly after the first try of the match was touched down in the corner by Vice Captain Dave “Coco” Gallagher. This came from some patient build up and drive from the forward pack.

The try was converted from the far-right touchline with a beauty of a kick from Wegians number 9.

Score 0-7

After some hard physical running from both sides Wegians put a second try on the board after 12 minutes with a fantastic team try, the forwards did the hard carry’s to allow the backs let loose and to finish a top quality try in the far left touch line. The ball went through the hands from one corner to the other in quick succession and it was touched down by the hugely impressive rookie winger Alex Micu.

Again the conversion was scored from another touch line angle from the magical boot of Wegians number 9. Score 0-14

The game really started to heat up and both sides went though periods of dominance and hard running, with neither side taking a step back. Wegians sustained a lot of Sligo pressure close to the end of the first half, but Wegians managed to hold out till the break.

Sligo started the second half the better maintaining their hard running and were rewarded for the hard work with a well worked try under the post, the try was converted, and the game was back to

7-14. Game on !!!

Wegians started to up their possession only to be held back time and again by a very determined Sligo squad, However the pressure finally told and the 3^rd Wegians try came at the 50 minute mark with some incredible foot work from Wegians second center Ger “Swivel Hips” McMahon who found some holes in the Sligo defense to finish off a fine solo try under the posts. Again, the try was converted by Wegians scrum half and made the score line 7-21

Wegians forwards were really running the show now with some exceptional open play from Johnny Derrick, Neil Walsh, and Shane Connolly to mention a few.

In the 70 minute mark Wegians scored their 4^th and last try after some incredible line breaks and, hands from the second row Johnny Derrick and back row Neill Walsh, they offloaded to the backs who again were so accurate in their passing and open side flanker Shane O’Connor scored a wonderful try in the left corner, sadly the conversion was missed but a healthy lead of 7-26.

The game still went on a pace and just before the final whistle Sligo scored their second try and last score of the match to bring the final score line to 12-26 after the conversion was missed.

This was a game that blew a few cob webs off the 3rds squad after a long break since their last game in early December. It was a very good performance for the squad with a lot of players missing and a successful 7 wins from 7 keeps the 3rds pushing for top of the league table and a home semi final.

The man of the match was awarded to open side flanker Neill Walsh who was in a league of his own all game with incredible tackles, running with the ball and a master class in defensive and line out play.

Next up for the 3rds is a mouthwatering top of the table clash as they welcome Oughterard RFC to Glenina this coming Friday the 24^th for Friday night lights with a kick off at 7:30pm

Please come along and support the squad if you can and have a few beers in the clubhouse after.