The Westport U18.5 Boys finally showed their true colours which won them silverware last season, with a determined team effort which seemed to have eluded them in their first 3 league games of the season.
A punishing home loss, season opener to league leaders Loughrea, was followed by closely contested matches against Carrick and Ballinsaloe and against poor playing conditions today put in a strong home performance against league chasers, Monivea.
Wintry hail showers and strong winds restricted Westport in the first half who elected to play against the conditions. The boys seemed determined to buck their recent poor run of form by measured control and not restoring to measure kicks, electing rather to keep the ball in hand when in possession.
Monivea brought their own game in the first half, moving the ball quickly and pinning Westport with searching and testing kicks, only to be met by a competent back-line who soaked up the high ball with glee.
Strong forwards carrying, brought Westport to Monivea’s 22 and with the opposition back-pedalling Westport struck first with a scrumhalf break, shrugging tackles and diving over for the games first score, then ably converted.
Much of the following 10 minutes was fought in midfield, where most of the game was contested, but not to be outdone Monivea broke through the midfield line, to score a try which Westport's good cover had forced wide and into the corner, from where the resulting conversion veered wide due to increasing winds and that was the score that remained until half time, 7-5.
The second half resumed as the first had finished, with one major difference, the building westerly wind was now in our boys backs.
Westport had shown great spirit, strong defence, and real commitment from the first whistle.
The strong carrying and hard tackling would have drained the Westport boys even by now but still they fronted up with increasing confidence.
That confidence fuelled the second half as the dominance became clearer, kicking for territory and shifting to the wings, the tries came and the defence flourished.
Westport scored 6 unanswered second half tries, with a dominant display and spread of scorers.
Tries;
Reuben Maguire
Felix Zeray
Jake Tunney Ware
Cian Silke
Liam Geraghty
Matthew Flannelly (2)
Whether it was the return of injured players, loaned players, U17 players, the U18.5s themselves that brought them their first win, is hard to know.
However what is without doubt, this team effort, is what won the day.
A real team effort and a brilliant turn in their season — well done!
Final score; Westport 45 - Monivea 5
1 Conor Moran
2 Felix Zeray
3 Jack Danagher
4 Callum O’Grady
5 Darren Daly
6 Alex Dunlop
7 Liam Geraghty
8 Alan Gannon
9 Reuben Maguire
10 Luke Cox
11 Dylan Moran
12 Jake Tunney Ware
13 Matthew Flannelly
14 Brendon Witzl
15 Aodhan Gavin
16 Ross O’Connor
17 William Duggan
18 Ryan Byrne
19 Cian Silke
20 Liam Cadden
A punishing home loss, season opener to league leaders Loughrea, was followed by closely contested matches against Carrick and Ballinsaloe and against poor playing conditions today put in a strong home performance against league chasers, Monivea.
Wintry hail showers and strong winds restricted Westport in the first half who elected to play against the conditions. The boys seemed determined to buck their recent poor run of form by measured control and not restoring to measure kicks, electing rather to keep the ball in hand when in possession.
Monivea brought their own game in the first half, moving the ball quickly and pinning Westport with searching and testing kicks, only to be met by a competent back-line who soaked up the high ball with glee.
Strong forwards carrying, brought Westport to Monivea’s 22 and with the opposition back-pedalling Westport struck first with a scrumhalf break, shrugging tackles and diving over for the games first score, then ably converted.
Much of the following 10 minutes was fought in midfield, where most of the game was contested, but not to be outdone Monivea broke through the midfield line, to score a try which Westport's good cover had forced wide and into the corner, from where the resulting conversion veered wide due to increasing winds and that was the score that remained until half time, 7-5.
The second half resumed as the first had finished, with one major difference, the building westerly wind was now in our boys backs.
Westport had shown great spirit, strong defence, and real commitment from the first whistle.
The strong carrying and hard tackling would have drained the Westport boys even by now but still they fronted up with increasing confidence.
That confidence fuelled the second half as the dominance became clearer, kicking for territory and shifting to the wings, the tries came and the defence flourished.
Westport scored 6 unanswered second half tries, with a dominant display and spread of scorers.
Tries;
Reuben Maguire
Felix Zeray
Jake Tunney Ware
Cian Silke
Liam Geraghty
Matthew Flannelly (2)
Whether it was the return of injured players, loaned players, U17 players, the U18.5s themselves that brought them their first win, is hard to know.
However what is without doubt, this team effort, is what won the day.
A real team effort and a brilliant turn in their season — well done!
Final score; Westport 45 - Monivea 5
1 Conor Moran
2 Felix Zeray
3 Jack Danagher
4 Callum O’Grady
5 Darren Daly
6 Alex Dunlop
7 Liam Geraghty
8 Alan Gannon
9 Reuben Maguire
10 Luke Cox
11 Dylan Moran
12 Jake Tunney Ware
13 Matthew Flannelly
14 Brendon Witzl
15 Aodhan Gavin
16 Ross O’Connor
17 William Duggan
18 Ryan Byrne
19 Cian Silke
20 Liam Cadden
