GOREY RFC U15s GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Sat 10^th January 2015

Gorey’s Under 15s welcomed Enniscorthy to Clonattin for their third meeting this season, having lost on the two previous occasions to their much improved neighbours. Gorey were last year’s Leinster Cup champions but were finding it difficult to recreate last year’s form.

The game kicked off in a strong blustery wind in the favour of the visitors. But Gorey were first out of the blocks with a well-worked try from their prop Jack Ryan after ten minutes, which was converted to leave the score at 7 – 0 to the home side.

Straight from the restart Gorey once again began working their way up the field with tight phase play through their pack, with Paddy O’Hagan, Tadhg O’Neill and Toby Falconer helping drive forward toward the Enniscorthy try line. Within a matter of a couple of minutes Gorey were another try up, this time with Seán Wafer going over in the corner.

Most of the spectators didn’t expect the conversion to be made in such blustery conditions, but Mark Kehoe hit a beautiful kick to send it over and put Gorey 14 – 0 up after just 13 minutes.

Enniscorthy fought back gallantly, but they were unable to breach Gorey’s defence with Greg Bolger and Henry Kennedy making some crucial tackles to deny the visitors and leave the score at 14 – 0 at half-time.

Although Gorey began the second half with the benefit of the continuing strong wind, it was Enniscorthy who made most of the play, with Gorey losing their shape temporarily. The visitors piled on the pressure and found themselves with an overlap on the wing on several occasions. It wasn’t long before this paid off and Enniscorthy got over for a well-deserved try, but were unable to convert, leaving the score 14 – 5.

This seemed to spur Gorey back into action and they reorganised their defence and began to attack again.  Once again they drove Enniscorthy back and their half-time substitute, Cormac Walsh, made a great tackle followed by a turnover, which he popped up into the hands of the charging Number 8, James Lawlor, who beat three defenders for an unstoppable try. Once again the trusty boot of Mark Kehoe defied expectations and sailed over to put Gorey in the lead 21 – 5.

Gorey’s tails were up now and they grew in confidence spreading the ball across the park and putting Seán Wafer into space. He gathered the ball and turned on the after-burners to run past several defenders at a blistering pace and touch the ball down directly between the posts, leaving out half Kehoe with his easiest conversion of the day.

Enniscorthy tried one more attack and managed to beat several attempts at tackles, but Gorey’s Cillian Tomkins managed to stop them in their tracks with what was a try-saving tackle.

With just minutes left on the clock James Lawlor broke the line for another try to finish the match at Gorey 33 – Enniscorthy 5.

It’s great to see this talented Gorey team rediscover their form and their season can only go from strength to strength.