Soaring Sutton Eagles Fly into the New Year with Victory over Wicklow
By Alex Cassidy
Suttonians 2ndXV overcame a resilient Wicklow 2ndXV in a 10-try shoot-out at home.
The Suttonians' “Eagles” took it to Wicklow in the early exchanges, pressing close to the Wicklow line but eventually being held up. Only minutes later, Oscar Reilly cleverly snuck through the ruck to cruise in under the posts untouched to open the scoring, giving the home side a seven-point lead.
Momentum soon came the Wicklow way as they stretched the Sutton Defence with expansive play before their scrum half Jordan Younger picked from the base off the ruck to split the Sutton defence and stepped fullback Ivor Cuddy to cross the try line and level the scores.
After a brief stalemate, both sides opted for kick tennis, with Wicklow coming out on top. Wicklow’s crisp passing paid dividends, giving them a second try when they scored in the corner. Hodgkinson failed to kick the extra points, leaving them leading by 5 points mid-way through the first half.
The Sutton backline found their gears to send Sean Cassidy off on an electric run, leaving multiple Wicklow defenders behind as he entered the Wicklow 22. Captain David Johnston appeared to go over the whitewash, but Wicklow miraculously ripped the ball from his grasp.
Sutton would take advantage of a five-metre scrum, sending Shane Patterson over the chalk. Conor Reilly would be successful with the conversion, giving Sutton a 14-12 lead. Wicklow refused to back down and were rewarded with a try on the stroke of half-time, retaking the lead heading into the sheds.
Half Time Suttonians 14 – 17 Wicklow
Suttonians fired their personnel straight after half-time, with strong carries from Jamie Lyons, Steve Evans, and Graeme O’Reilly setting the tone. Patterson pinned Wicklow deep in their end with a classy kick, and a few phases later, Graeme O’Reilly crashed over. Reilly again converted the extras to give his side a 21-17 lead.
Ivor Cuddy was busy throughout, sending Sean Cassidy on another destructive run down the Wicklow end, but Sutton were unable to come up with any goods this time around.
Wicklow would soon start firing heavy shots as they found themselves getting rewarded in the wide channels. Jordan Younger was instrumental in the attack as he blitzed off the scrum before unleashing his winger to finish off the score and hand Wicklow a 3-point lead.
Wicklow landed another blow only minutes later as their lively number 23 would feature off the bench and go the best part of 60 metres to cross the line, giving the visitors a 21-31 lead.
Sutton knew they had to start landing some punches soon. David Traynor marshalled the pack around the park and ensured they got vital go-forward ball with essential carries from Oisin Kelly, Lyons, and O’Reilly. The hard yards were earned, allowing the backs to fire with Shane Patterson crossing for his second of the day. Reilly slotted the conversion to bring the game back within 3 points.
Wicklow continued to threaten in the later stages, but Cuddy capitalised on a loose ball and would go the length of the field, albeit not with ease, as a Wicklow medic was caught in the crossfire. Cuddy released the ball, and Shane Patterson would complete his Hat trick. Reilly took care of the extras yet again to give Sutton a 35-31 lead heading into the final minutes.
Wicklow weren’t down and out yet; they delivered repeated blows constantly at Sutton, with Fergal Dodds having to make a try-saving tap tackle. Oisin Kelly would win a crucial turnover in their own 22 to provide his side with some relief.
Captain Johnston would find himself on the wrong end of a yellow card after a high shot late on. As the clock ticked into the red, Wicklow opted for a quick tap penalty rather than kicking to touch, but two phases later spilled the ball, falling four points short.
Full-time Suttonians 35 – 31 Wicklow
Suttonians Scorers
Try: Oscar Reilly - Shane Patterson (3) - Graeme O’Reilly -
Conversions: Conor Reilly x 5
Suttonians Man of The Match: Conor Reilly
