Galwegians' hot streak continues onwards with a 22-13 victory over Enniscorthy last weekend, as they establish themselves as title contenders.
With both sides suffering relegation from Division 2B last season, both sides were determined to secure a win to close the gap at the top of the division and return to the higher tiers of AIL.
Galwegians starting XV saw just one change with Mikey McGriff returning at centre after missing the previous game at Bangor.
Conditions were difficult with a stiff breeze having the potential to cause havoc for both sides throughout the game.
Galwegians had a lightning start to the game, taking advantage of having the wind in their favour and early indiscipline from the visitors to take the lead, Finn Tracey grabbing the opening score. Tiarnan Neville collected the extras for seven points just four minutes in.
Thirty seconds after the game restarted, Galwegians struck again, with Tracey once again being the difference maker with a line break putting Galwegians in acres of space. With Shane Mallon and Andrew Sherlock on the left-hand side, the duo linked up for the second of the afternoon with Sherlock etching his name on the scoresheet. It was 14-0 after the conversion with seven minutes played.
Galwegians kept distancing themselves on the scoreboard with a Neville penalty putting three more points on the board. Despite some more opportunities in the first half, it remained 17-0 to the Blues and was a dream start to the game.
The tables were turned in the second half with Galwegians playing against the wind, enabling a stronger kicking game for Enniscorthy. Two penalties for Enniscorthy that Ben Kidd put away to make it 17-6 with plenty of rugby still to be played.
The game remained on a knife edge with both sides having the opportunity to score that conclusive try with Enniscorthy looking particularly dangerous. Still, some knock-ons from the visitors in the 22 proved to be decisive. Rob Holian went to the bin to bring Galwegians down to 14.
Then with just seven minutes to go, Enniscorthy finally scored their opening try, patiently building through the phases, with Angelo Todisco picking and going, finding the small pocket of space to get over the line. Adam Gethings grabbed the conversion, 14-13 with the clock ticking down.
The pressure was well and truly on Galwegians to keep their lead alive. They won possession after the restart and worked themselves towards the opposition 22 in quick fashion. Enniscorthy lost Nick Doyle after a yellow card, and Galwegians capitalised with substitute Conor Joyce grabbing the winner in the 75thminute.
Tensions boiled over with a skirmish between the two sides, with Enniscorthy frustrated that the game had slipped away. Neville couldn’t quite hit it right from the tee, meaning the visitors could nick a bonus point with the score at 22-13.
Enniscorthy did have their opportunity at the end but their attempt went just wide of the post as the referee blew his whistle to signify the end of the game. Galwegians streak rolls on with five wins and a draw in their opening two blocks of fixtures.
They have a week’s break of AIL action before Galwegians have their biggest game of the season so far, taking on Clogher Valley on 2nd December, with kick-off at 2.30 p.m.
Galwegians:
S Mallon, D Kennedy, F Tracey, M McGiff, O McKey, T Neville, A Sherlock, J Winters, R Smith, G Daniel, R Holian, O Halpin, J Va’afusuaga, D Keane, L Angermann.
Replacements: C Joyce, M McColgan, J Quinn, H Gens, C Brady, J Munn, M Loughlin
