The newcomers to senior rugby got a serious wakeup call at Donnybrook on Saturday last when they came up against a very slick Wesley team who play their rugby in division 2a of the AIL. Boyne continued with their ploy of trying out new players at this grade but the home team were more physical and a stronger running side that caused great problems for the visitors. It was a shadow Boyne side that took the field with a number of first team players still waiting to make a return to first team duty.

The opening minutes saw Boyne defend valiantly against the home side and an offside decision gave Wesley their first opportunity to take the lead on the 5th minute when they converted the resultant penalty from 30 mts. A bad mistake by the visitors led to their second score when Wesley intercepted an intended pass on the Boyne 22’ and sprinted over to touch down under the posts. The easy conversion brought their tally to 10pts in as many minutes. They continued to register tries at will and their scoring rate on the half hour was a point a minute when they crossed the 30 point mark. Boyne did cross for a try just before half time when winger McGuirk took the scoring pass to put 5pts on the board. However, Wesley ran in several tries before half time and put up a score of 48pts to 5pts.

Boyne did manage to curtail the home sides free scoring in the second half and with the introduction of some established players like McGrath & Collins their tempo and coordination improved. However, the match was over as a contest and Wesley took their foot of the pedal in the final third of this game. Boyne did cross for a try when Captain on the day, John Kinsella, crashed over for his teams second try. This was a token score however and they failed to score again for the remainder of the game.

Whilst this was a heavy defeat for Boyne there were some of the younger players who did show that they have potential and will figure in the coach’s plans for the future. Once again, Sean Rooney, at scrum half gave a good account of himself whilst Hugh Carolan, when he came into the match in the second half, also did well. Hooker Cooney had to retire early in the game with an injury and was deprived of the chance to continue his good progress.

With four weeks to go before Boyne play Sligo away in their opening AIL encounter, the coach will be focusing on getting his first team squad moulded in the intervening period. Boyne have two tough games remaining in this competition against established senior sides, Wanderers and Greystones. With three opening games played to date a settled side should now begin to emerge for these fixtures. Boyne will want to go into AIL fare with morale boosting performances in their remaining Leinster Senior Shield games.

Last Saturday XV & Repls: J. Kinsella (Capt), G. Cooney Inj (B. Muldowney 15mins), P. Cooney; I. O,Reilly, P. Muldowney; G. Malone,(E.Collins 60th min) B. Smyth, C. Walsh; S. Rooney, R. Jenkinson (C.McGrath 60th min); M. McGuirk, G. Kennedy, M. Hennessy, A. Sherrard, G. McQuillan.