Leinster League U.13

Kilkenny 14 Wexford Wanderers 33

Wexford Under 13’s traveled to Kilkenny for their opening fixture in the Leinster league last Saturday 9^thOctober. A difficult game to call in advance as these teams had managed to avoid each other last season. Wexford were hit by a number of injuries before the game and had to play without captain Peter Barry, scrum half Alex Ryan, last years winger Bill Joyce who wont be back until the new year as well as Cian Kelly, Richard Ryan, Marcus Harrington and Peter O'Shea.

Despite these set backs it was Wexford who hit the ground running and enjoyed more possession and territory in the opening exchanges of their toughest encounter this season. Wexford dominated the line outs with a sensational display from second row Ben Moore. With 12 minutes on the clock Wexford were awarded a penalty 8 meters from the Kilkenny try line. Quick thinking from scrum half Rory o Connor saw him take a quick tap and make it to the corner catching the Kilkenny defense. Despite missing the conversion it was a fair reflection on the opening 15 minutes. However with ball in hand Kilkenny had the abilty to come back and within 10 minutes their impressive 1^st centre broke through to score under the posts. Try converted to leave Kilkenny ahead by 7 points to 5.

With leadership required the forwards upped their intensity and recycled possession with intense rucking. Ian Bennett soon broke through to score the Wexford’s 2^nd try.His immense power and speed stunning the home team. Try converted 12 to 7 in favor of wexford. From the Kick off Josh Christe made a superb break and at the right time off loaded to Bennett who scored again to make it 19 -7 to wexford at half time.

Kilkenny closed the gap to 5 points with a 2^nd try from their 1^st centre and indeed had a try disallowed which may have turned the game but for a forward pass. When asked the questions it was again wexford who responded. A superb try from fly half Barry o Connor who broke on the blind side and chipped the defense, gathered the bouncing ball and scored under the posts.Ian Bennett scored his hat trick to finish the match 33 14 to the visitors. Well done Wexford !Man of the match was a close call between Ian Bennett and Ben Moore, but Ben Moore for his line outs and ball winning ruck time was the foundation for this victory. All players involved really played superb.