Highfield struck by late sucker punch
AIL RUGBY
OLD WESLEY……………………..25
HIGHFIELD…………………………22
Daire Walsh
JOSH PIM’S 72nd-minute try was the decisive score at Energia Park on Saturday afternoon as Highfield tasted defeat for the first time in All-Ireland League Division 1B.
The newly-promoted Leesiders had accumulated seven triumphs in succession prior to this contest. However, their south Dublin counterparts had also enjoyed an unbeaten start to the campaign and dug deep to claim the spoils in this encounter.
Highfield couldn’t have asked for a better start on Donnybrook’s all-weather surface with winger Paul Stack dotting down for a sixth-minute try.
Yet before they had a chance to build on their lead, David Poff conjured an unconverted effort of his own at the opposite end. The inside centre impressed throughout the opening period and he released midfield partner Ed O’Keefe for their second try in the 27th-minute.
While a Shane O’Riordan place-kick reduced Highfield’s deficit to four points (12-8) in time for the interval, Rory Stynes cancelled out his strike on the resumption.
The dependable full-back splits the posts off another penalty on 66 minutes but with Eoin Keating and Dan Healy crossing the whitewash either side of it, Highfield found themselves in the driving seat.
Wesley simply refused to give in, though, and replacement back-row Pim edged his team back in front with a powerful close-range finish. There was enough time on the clock for Highfield to rescue the game and they twice turned down shots at goal in a bid to maintain their winning run.
Unfortunately, a fourth try eluded them in the closing moments and they were forced to settle for a losing bonus point. This keeps them three points clear of Wesley at the summit of the second-tier table – albeit with a game more played.
Scorers for Old Wesley: David Poff, Ed O’Keefe, Josh Pim try each, Rory Stynes 2 pens, 2 cons.
Scorers for Highfield: Paul Stack, Eoin Keating, Dan Healy try each, Shane O’Riordan pen, 2 cons.
OLD WESLEY: Rory Stynes; Thomas O’Callaghan, Ed O’Keefe, David Poff, Richie Walsh; Tom Kiersey, Josh Miller; James Burton, Ben Burns, Conor Maguire; JJ O’Dea, Iain McGann; Conor Barry, Ian Condell, Paul Derham.
Replacements: Josh Pim for Condell (56), Craig Miller for J Miller (59), Stephen McGivern for Maguire (68), Luke Thompson for Barry (73).
HIGHFIELD: Sean Quaid; Paul Stack, Dave O’Sullivan, Ben Murphy, Colin O’Neill; Shane O’Riordan, Chris Banon; Ciaran McHugh, Dan Healy, Paddy Ryan; Eoin Keating, Fintan O’Sullivan; Dave O’Connell, Eddie Earle, Miah Cronin.
Replacements: Mick Dillane for Earle (h-t), Mark Dorgan for D O’Sullivan (59), Tim Ryan for McHugh (62), Brian O’Hea for Stack (73).
Referee: Oisin Quinn (IRFU).