The 11 am kick-off saw Gorey take on New Ross on a bright but blustery day. With a few positional changes and some new starters, the team took to the field ready for action.

Just two minutes into the game, Number 8, Eoin Wafer, picked from the scrum and crashed over for a try, though the wind denied Harry Swaine the conversion points. At the 10-minute mark, a clever kick through was capitalized on by the busy Number 7, Andrew Bailey, for another try, but once again, the wind intercepted Harry's conversion attempt.

New Ross made some big carries and Gorey conceded a few too many penalties, making for a tough defensive effort from the home team to keep the score at 10-0 by half-time.

New Ross started strong in the second half with some big carries, and a few missed tackles led to the away team scoring a good try in the corner, with the conversion narrowly missed. More good work by New Ross and solid defending by Gorey saw them held up over the line by Gorey’s prop, Charlie Earls, resulting in a disallowed try. Great work rate and pressure by scrumhalf, David Doyle, saw him cross the line, unfortunately knocking on in goal. Further Gorey pressure saw a charged-down kick being pounced on by the busy Finn Brannigan for Gorey’s third try, with Harry adding the extra points. The full-time score ended Gorey 17 – New Ross 5.

 

A third period saw more changes, with a nice carry from Hugh Ryan leading to Sam Collier picking from the ruck and crashing over the try line, beautifully converted by deputy kicker Ryan Hughes. New Ross managed to get an additional two tries of their own.  Special mention to David Doyle, who had a great game at Number 9, just pipped for Man of the Match by Harry Swaine at Number 12. Not to forget the busy pair of Andrew Bailey and Finn Brannigan, as well as Jack Curley for getting stuck in.