Rugby – Leinster League 1A

Boyne got their Leinster League 1A campaign off to a winning start on Saturday last when they made the trip to the South East a rewarding one with a hard fought win against a formidable Wicklow side.

An early morning drizzle was later replaced by a bright sunny sky which saw the match played in near perfect conditions.

This season, Boyne coach, Kevin McCleery, has refreshed the First team squad with some new faces which has a Boyne team now displaying a blend of youth and experience.

The hard work over the years, carried out by the club’s youth mentors and coaches has paid dividends with the introduction of five former Boyne Youth players making their Leinster League debuts last Saturday with three of them in the starting line-up and two among the replacements.

The visitors were first to show some dominance when, from the start, they put early pressure on the home side without half, Hugh O’Dwyer and outside backs, Oisín Cummings and Rian Kindlon combining to make incisive breaks through the Wicklow defence.

These incursions earned an early penalty for Boyne when the home side were penalised for off-side and out half, Hugh O’Dwyer, kicked the three points. The out-half was on target again when he doubled the lead following another Wicklow infringement minutes later.

Boyne continued to attack Wicklow creating phase after phase which was curtailed by a well-organised and aggressive Wicklow defence ensuring Boyne’s territory gains were hard won.

The game was approaching the 20th minute in the first half when Wicklow began to assert themselves and they mounted their first attack. Their threat was realised when they made a couple of vital carries in midfield which brought their backline into the move with a swift change of play that reached their winger.

They broke through the Boyne defence and winger, Mooney, finished an excellent attack when he dotted down under the posts. A simple conversion saw Wicklow take a 7-6 lead.

Wicklow were now in confident mood and they mounted a series of attacks which involved their backs and forwards interchanging possession and asking serious questions of the Boyne defence.

However, strong resistance from the visitors which saw excellent tackling by Nile Banks, Robbie Vallejo and Oisín Howell kept the Boyne line intact. The siege was lifted when hooker, Theo Sheridan, won a turnover and scrum-half, Nick Smith, made a swift transfer to out-half, O’Dwyer, and his touch kick won Boyne a lineout with a 50/22.

An excellent take off the top by Luke Rochford in the line-out set up a Boyne maul, but their drive for the line was held up just short. Boyne did manage to keep up the pressure and they forced Wicklow into the concession of several penalties close to their own line. Boyne won a number of lineouts but Wicklow’s stout defence managed to prevent the visitors from scoring.

Boyne did manage to force a five-metre scrum which set up a solid platform from which scrum-half Nick Smith picked from the base and darted over in the corner. Out half, O’Dwyer kicked an excellent touch-line conversion that saw Boyne reach the half-time break leading 13-7

At the break, Boyne introduced Eoghan Duffy and Karl Keogh to the game and the visitors opened the second half in the same mood as they closed the first half by mounting a series of attacks, with prop, Hugh Carolan making massive ground taking play deep into the Wicklow half. However, there was not enough support for Carolan to take advantage of his efforts.

Boyne introduced another of their youth products when Jonah Nelson entered the game on the 58th minute, and he immediately showed his form when he supported Dylan Lynch with a great carry deep into Wicklow territory.

Boyne were now enjoying the super conditions and they played some sparkling rugby, initiating plays and moves from all areas which had their opponents floundering at times.

It was another great break, this time by prop, O’Neill, who found second row, Oisín Howell in support. Howell broke through a number of tackles before he released centre, Robbie Vallejo. With some super footwork, the centre evaded several would-be tacklers and he managed to get in under the posts for Boyne’s second try. O’Dwyer tapped over the simple conversion and Boyne took a 20-7 lead with 60 minutes of the game played.

Boyne now emptied their bench introducing Evan McGinn and Oisín Molloy. The visitors spent long spells on the offensive with Graeme McQuillan, Eoghan Duffy and Lincoln De Year all making attacking inroads into a ferocious and stubborn Wicklow defence who were holding firm.

Eventually the Boyne pressure did yield a score when Wicklow conceded a penalty virtually under the posts. O’Dwyer again kicked the points and with 10 minutes remaining Boyne had a commanding 23-7 lead.

Wicklow’s stubbornness and resilience gave them the final say in an excellent game when some poor Boyne defence turned the ball over and a break by Wicklow out-half McKenzie, put the home side back on the scoreboard. The conversion made the score 23-14 in favour of the visitors.

Boyne did give away a number of soft penalties in the final few minutes when they put themselves under some pressure but a final scrum saw Boyne push Wicklow off the ball to win a penalty. This was the final play and Boyne kicked the ball to touch to the sound of the final whistle signalling a good start to their campaign.

Boyne: Mahon Hall; Robbie Valejo, Rian Kindlon, Graeme McQuillan, Oisín Cummins; Nick Smith, Hugh O’Dwyer, Cody O’Neill, Theo Sheridan, Hugh Carolan; Nile Banks, Oisín Howell; Luke Rochford, Lincoln De Year, Dylan Lynch. Replacements all used: Evan McGinn, Oisín Molloy, Jonah Nelson, Karl Keogh & Eoghan. Duffy.

Wicklow 37 Boyne 24Despite leading for long periods, Boyne J2 lost away to Wicklow on Saturday. Two tries for Adam Brodigan plus one each for James Farrell and Tommy Gregory and a two Michael Briscoe conversions were the Boyne scorers.

Boyne (J2): C Lynch; S Flynn; T Gregory; Waters; E Lenehan; B Brown; D Little; C Hermitage; H Johnson; M Briscoe; C Gallen; J Farrell; A Brodigan; D O’Neill; D Maxwell; J McArdle; V Manu; J O’Neill; K Clancy; R Rios.