Wilson’s defence holds strong to win Vinnie Murray Plate final
Wilson’s Hospital School Senior Boys rugby team recorded a 16-12 victory over St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan in the final of the Vinnie Murry Plate last Wednesday afternoon.
Conditions were breezy in North Meath RFC and the teams both benefited from a strong wind for one half of the game.
These teams were familiar with one another, having played a pre-cup friendly in December. On that occasion, the Multyfarnham school won 27-25 with a late try. This game was always going to be close.
St Pat’s won the toss and opted to play into the wind in the first half. From the kick-off, they piled the pressure on and were unlucky not to score but for some strong defence from the Wilson’s front five.
Daniel Farrell, Matthew Bruton and Ross Ashmore (fresh from their cup final win the previous Sunday with Mullingar U18.5s) put in some important tackles to keep the St Pat’s attack at bay.
Although Wilson’s ha a strong wind, they struggled to clear their lines at times and to contain the physically bigger St Pat’s pack. Eventually after some strong carrying from Longford duo Sam Mills and Joel Gillanders, St Pat’s were forced into giving away a penalty 45 metres out, which out-half Tom Wheeler slotted over.
From the resulting restart Wilson’s made yards through lively openside Jack Levingston. Pat’s again gave away a penalty, this one on the halfway line, which out-half Wheeler knocked over with the benefit of the wind.
St Pat’s fought their way back into the Wilson’s 22 after that and again were unlucky not to score. In tough conditions, the Navan team moved the ball well and but for some last ditch tackling from back three Ciaran McKenna, Scott O’Boyle and Stephen Cahill, they would certainly have scored.
Late in the half, Wilson’s piled the pressure on Navan and they eventually cracked as inside centre Jack Sweeney powered over off of a pre-planned move. Tom Wheeler added the extras to leave the score 13-0 at half time.
St Pat’s were the first to capitalise in the second half. After some missed tackles from Wilson’s, St Pat’s found space on the left wing and with some neat handling sent their winger over in the corner. They missed the conversion, which left the score 13-5 with two minutes gone.
St Pat’s gained confidence from the early try and began to take the game to the Multyfarnham school. For the next 15 minutes St Pat’s had the best of the chances, but Wilson’s held firm thanks to more excellent defending from Matthew Conlon, Ciaran Byrne and Daniel Farrell.
Jack Sweeney eased the pressure with a 70-yard break. St Pat’s were forced into a penalty again, allowing Tom Wheeler to chip over to leave it 16-5.
Navan responded shortly after that with a converted try from their number 8, and the score was 12-16 with five minutes left.
Wilson’s defended admirably for the remaining minutes and closed out the game to bring the Plate back for the third time in eight years.
It will act as some consolation for the lads, as they lost the McMullan Cup Final to Gorey Community School two weeks previously.
Well done to the full squad and their coaches Mr Dunne and Mr Campbell and thanks to St Pat’s, who played their part in what was an excellent game of rugby.
Team and replacements
Team: Reuben Wright, Matthew Bruton, Ciaran Byrne, Daniel Farrell, Joel Gillanders, Sam Mills, Jack Levingston, Matthew Conlon (Vice Captain), Elliott Pratt, Tom Wheeler, Stephen Cahill, Jack Sweeney (Captain), Ross Ashmore, Scott O’Boyle, Ciaran McKenna.
Replacements: Eddie Glass, Nathan Pratt, Jude Auld, Eoghan Murray, Kevin Donnelly, Malcolm O’Boyle, Joshua Hollidge, Padraig Lillis, James Ellis, Finn Davitt, Fintan Harte, Rowland O’Reilly, Jamie Reilly, Mark Webster.