Galwegians’ winning streak came crashing down to earth when they were resoundly beaten 40-12 by Wanderers on Saturday.
Both sides went into this contest in joint fourth place in the Energia AIL Division 2B table, and fresh from four straight AIL wins in a row, Wegians were in confident mood. However, they were dealt an early blow when captain Marty Cummins was pulled in the warm-up, and with the hosts were playing with the aid of a strong first-half breeze, they wasted no time in making it count.
Niall O’Donoghue crossed for an early try, which was converted for a 7-0 lead, and as Wegians tried to get a foothold in the game, Wanderers scored again. This time it came from a five metre scrum when a clever decoy allowed Paddy Mallon to pick and go, and get over the line. The conversion was again good to double the hosts' lead.
For all that, Wegians were playing some good rugby and they got right back into the game with their opening score before the break. It followed some excellent backline play before prop Ryan Lomas burst over from close range for a well-taken try. This was converted to reduce the gap to 14-7 at the break.
It put Wegians in a seemingly strong position entering the second-half with the elements in their favour. However, they suffered a disastrous start when they let their hosts through for an early try - Wanderers bursting through the middle straight from the restart to restor a 14-point lead.
This gave the home side added belief, and within five minutes they had secured a bonus point after a clearance kick was charged down and prop Kieran Stokes touched down. Another conversion put daylight between the sides.
The Blues did give themselves a lifeline when they scored a second try right from the restart, with full-back Will Goddard weaving his way through the defence to score an unconverted try, reducing the gap to 28-12. However it proved a false dawn. Wanderers scored next to put the game beyond any doubt and they completed a miserable day for Wegians when they had time to run in a sixth try at the end to put some added gloss on the final scoreline.\
Galwegians XV: Will Goddard, Sandile Sibande, Hugh Lane, Tommy Downes, James Kennedy, Ewan Strang,Rory Gaffney, Conor Kyne, Christy Reilly, Ryan Lomas, Eoin Tarmey, Ciaran Wilson, Matt Towey, Michael O’Donnell Kieran Downey. Subs: Andrew Paton, Shane Ryan, Ronan Moore, Dylan Hamill, Eamonn Dowling.
Corinthians
Corinthians suffered a similar defeat, losing to Dublin outfit 17-31 at Cloonacauneen.
It was a tough defeat, particularly after Corinthians had taken a 17-7 lead at the break. Simon Keller had scored the opening try, converted by Adam McDermott, and with another three points, the home side was in control.
However, the visitors struck for a converted try almost immediately, but when flanker Joe Campbell crossed for Corinthians' second try, also converted by McDermott, it was looking good for the home side.
However, it was not long after the restart before Malahide closed the gap, and they went on to dominate the second half, claiming three more tries.
The two results sees Corinthians drop to third, with three teams level on 30 points, and Galwegians drop to sixth with 25 points.
Corinthians had gone into the game in confident form, having taken joint lead of the division 2B table
