Rugby

Wesley College pull off shock first round defeat of Roscrea

Patrick Collins’ charges rolled out a gameplan that had Roscrea reeling backward

Wesley College are into the next round of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup after overcoming Roscrea at Energia Park on Thursday. Photograph: Evan Treacy/Inpho

Thu Feb 17 2022 - 17:27

Wesley College 30 Cistercian Roscrea College 10

Wesley College carried out the first shock of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup, overcoming Roscrea in the first round at Energia Park on Thursday.

Patrick Collins’ charges rolled out a gameplan that had Roscrea reeling backwards, especially at the maul. The technique of the smaller Wesley forwards gave them momentum and prop Aran Lowry powered over for the opening try in the eighth minute.

The Offaly school couldn't get their act together, giving away multiple penalties to hand away ground, with another maul leading to scrumhalf Kameron Moran shooting clear of a ruck for Johny Cazzini's conversion to make it 12-0 in the 20th minute.

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Roscrea were finally able to generate enough field position to put Joe Coffey on the ball, the flanker getting up a head-of-steam to give explosive wing Ihechi Oji the chance to steam through bodies for the try.

A long delay ensued to treat Wesley captain Dan Campbell’s injury before Niall O’Sullivan was binned for slapping down the ball, Cazzini’s penalty making it 15-5 at the break.

Roscrea demonstrated clear intentions to bring Oji into the game without the rewards they needed. If anything, Wesley grew more dominant, with Cazzini slotting a penalty in the 41st minute.

The impact of Greg Fitzgerald from a turnover and a burst as well as a stunning line by Oji enabled Roscrea hooker Ronan Lydon to finish their work in the 47th minute.

From then on however, Wesley showed superior organisation and game management to create tries for number eight Oran Handley and centre Jamie Fish in the last five minutes

Scorers

Wesley: A Lowry, K Moran, O Handley, J Fish one try each; J Cazzini two penalties, two conversions.

Roscrea: I Oji, R Lydon one try each.

Teams

Wesley: M Golden; F Nolan, T Durham, J Fish, J Crooks; J Cazzini, K Moran; S Foulds, R Jones, A Lowry; H Hjelseth, L O' Neill; D Campbell (Capt), T Geoghegan, O Handley. Replacements: H Giradi for Golden (21 mins); C Collins for D Campbell (26 mins); R Cockrell for Nolan (53 mins); R Handley for Jones (64 mins).

Roscrea: N O'Sullivan; I Oji, B Barry, J Conroy, G Fitzgerald; C Naughton, P O'Muiri; P Sheeran, R Lydon, R Doody; R Glynn, L Fallon; J Coffey, R Whelan, M Flynn. Replacements: D Guinan for Whelan (16 mins); P O'Connor for Doody (half-time); S Finlay for O'Muiri (41 mins); A Dunne for Barry, J Verling for Flynn both (62 mins); R Tynan for Lydon (65 mins).

Referee: C Roche (Leinster).

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