Fourth successive victory as Mullingar remain unbeaten
Mullingar RFC 48 Wexford Wanderers 27
After all the rain from storm Babet during the week it was refreshing to turn up to glorious sunshine in Cullion on Sunday, as Mullingar welcomed Wexford Wanderers to Shay Murtagh Park for a top of the table clash.
Both teams were the only two teams in the league with a 100% win record. Wexford won the toss and elected to kick off. Mullingar failed to deal with the kickoff and allowed Wexford possession. Wexford went through several phases before Mullingar conceded a penalty for offside. Wexford kicked three points to take the early lead.
Mullingar didn’t panic though and a penalty allowed them a lineout deep in the Wexford 22. A commanding take from Niall Hannon in the lineout, allowed Mullingar to form a strong maul and Captain Paul Maxwell had a chariot ride as Mullingar crossed for their first score of the game. Matias Pfaff added the customary two points to make the score 7-3 to Mullingar.
From the next kick-off, Wexford were too anxious to put pressure on the catcher and a high tackle on Luke Finegan resulted in a yellow card for Wexford.
After several passages of play a loose pass fell to Conor Gibney, who showed neat footwork to flick the ball into his hand and get Mullingar on the front foot with a strong carry into the Wexford 22. The Mullingar back line was loaded up to the right and some slick passing put Conor Moore away in the corner to score Mullingar’s second try. Matias Pfaff used all his expertise to kick the touch line conversion and make the score 14–3 to Mullingar.
The next score fell to Mullingar as well. They were applying lots of pressure when a knock-on looked like Wexford were going to be able to clear their lines, but as their scrum-half attempted the box kick the ball, Niall Hannon managed to block the kickdown and he followed up to dot down for Mullingar’s third try. Matias Pfaff was not able to add the conversion of this occasion. The score was now 19–3. Wexford were now back to 15 men and it was their opportunity to apply some pressure. However, some good Mullingar defending allowed Jack Boyan, the opportunity to turn the ball over. Mullingar moved the ball to width and a long raking kick by Conor Moore who followed up with a chase and tackle, allowed Conor Gibney to secure a penalty when the Wexford player did not release on the ground. From the lineout Mullingar moved the ball with purpose towards the posts, and then came back towards the touch line, Maxwell was not able to take in a long pass which would have seen him score his second try.
The referee went back for a previous penalty and the Mullingar pack elected to pick and go; after several phases the Wexford defence was under pressure, and Conor Gibney picked a nice line, and Cian Cleary was able to put him through a gap for another score. Matias Pfaff made the score 26–3.
Mullingar scored again off the kickoff again. They initially cleared their lines with a kick, which Wexford returned and was caught by Pfaff, who beat several defenders and was then able to find scrum-half Cian Cleary, who was running a clever support line on the inside. Cleary scored between the posts and Pfaff kicked the conversion to make the score 33–3. Wexford were able to add a try just before half-time to make the score 33–8 at the break.
Mullingar opened their account in the second half with a fine long range penalty from Matias Pfaff to make the score 36-3. Another well worked move off the lineout with strong carries from Alan Brabazon and Niall Hannon allowed Cian Cleary to put Conor Gibney into a gap, Gibney was able to finish to make the score 41–8.
Mullingar got their last score of the game, when a clever kick by Pfaff in behind the Wexford defence caused confusion. Anthony McGivney was quickest to react when he scooped up the ball and managed to stay in field to score under the posts. Pfaff kicked the conversion to make the score 48-8.
Mullingar threatened to run up a big score, but several chances went begging and they were not able to add further to their tally. And in fact, Wexford were able to finish strongest with three tries, which meant they left Mullingar with a four try bonus points. The final score was 48-27.
Mullingar will be disappointed that they were not able to be more ruthless in the closing stages of the game. They head into the Halloween break top of the table with four wins from four. Their next opposition after the break will be a long way trip to New Ross.
1. Ben Glennon, 2. Matthew Bruton, 3. Chris Fox, 4. Sean Cronin, 5. Luke Finegan, 6. Jack Boyan, 7. Paul Maxwell, 8. Niall Hannon, 9. Cian Cleary, 10. Ben McCarthy, 11. Anthony McGivney, 12. Alan Brabazon, 13. Conor Gibney, 14. Conor Moore, 15. Matias Pfaff, 16. Alan Naughton, 17. Ed Nally, 18. Paddy Doran, 19. Arthur Brabazon, 20. Daire Conway.