Tullow tanked behind closed Black Gates
Tullow hooker Corey Leigh Hughes delivers a crunching tackle to bring the Wicklow attack to a halt. Photos: Aisling Hyland.
Mired in controversy, Tullow took to the field on Saturday for the first time since it emerged their senior men's and women's teams had been ordered to play their upcoming home games behind closed doors. The sanction came as a result of "referee abuse in a ladies match” last season, with Tullow legend, Sean O'Brien being handed a ten-match ban as a result of an unrelated incident during that same game.
There was a surreal atmosphere around the Black Gates without the usual throng of supporters around the pitch. That may have been a factor in Wicklow getting off to such a strong start, with the visitors pulling away late on for a convincing 22-point victory.
Both sides lost on the opening weekend of the Leinster League Division 1A, but it is Tullow who are now left wondering where they go from here, having conceded over 90 points in their first two games.
Wicklow got off to a dream start with Brian Johnston crossing for a try in the third minute. Viliami Katoa won a turnover for Tullow 30 metres out from his own line, but the hosts spilled the ball and allowed the Wicklow full back to take advantage. Fly half Paddy McKenzie added the extras.
It was all too easy for Wicklow, who had a second try on the board ten minutes later when Max Richards barged through a couple of Tullow defenders before the big second row ran clean through. It was a fairly innocuous period between the two tries, but when McKenzie added a second conversion it was 14-0 after quarter of an hour.
Tullow had a chance to hit back straight away when they kicked to the corner off a penalty, but Wicklow turned the ball over and cleared their lines. The hosts kept the pressure on, but found themselves back defending their own 22 and struggling to repel Wicklow's speed and physicality.
The visitors claimed a goal-line drop-out and ran it back hard at Tullow, with McKenzie releasing Cian Reynolds for a third Wicklow try, followed by a superb strike from the fly half to add the extras again. 21-0 after half an hour.
This time Tullow did reply instantly, with winger Shane Duffy collecting a loose ball in midfield and wheeling away for a much-needed try. Dara Cosgrave added the extras to cut the gap a little further.
Viliami Katoa looked the most likely to open the Wicklow defensive line, with the visitors only managing to halt the big centre illegally. Garrett Fitzgerald kicked to the corner, but Wicklow held firm as it ended 21-7 at half time.
Tullow were in for try number two within five minutes of the restart, a score made by the forwards, as Stephen Smith popped a lovely ball to his captain close to the line. Scott Caldbeck then produced a perfect offload into the arms of Corey Leigh-Hughes, with the hooker dotting down under the posts.
Cosgrave added the extras to cut the gap to seven points, but Wicklow slotted the game's first penalty goal shortly afterwards to stretch the lead back into double figures.
Tullow were under enormous pressure in their own 22 midway through the half and looked to have conceded a fourth try, only for a last-gasp intervention to see Wicklow lock, Stephen Swan held up over the line. Wicklow came again, but Tullow held them out again, turning the ball over and with 15 minutes left on the clock.
The hosts were only a few passes away from finding the space they needed for a third try, but instead an interception from McKenzie allowed Wicklow to break free, spreading the ball wide to Scott Fitzpatrick who raced away in the corner for a bonus-point try for the visitors.
Tullow immediately coughed up another soft try, with Liam Nicholson crossing for a fifth as Wicklow left the Black Gates without all five points.
S Duffy and C Leigh-Hughes (1 try each), D Cosgrave (2 cons).
B Johnston, M Richards, Cian Reynolds, S Fitzpatrick and L Nicholson (1 try each), P McKenzie (4 cons, 1 pen).
Dara Cosgrave; Shane Duffy, Ryan Curran, Viliami Katoa, Jack Hanlon; Garrett Fitzgerald, David Tobin; Brian Keogh, Corey Leigh-Hughes, Tom Cashen; Tom Hughes, Martin Cole; Jack McDonald, Fiach O'Byrne, Scott Caldbeck.
Replacements: Ben Butler, Daniel Whelan, Stephen Smith, Tadgh Walsh, Cian Leonard.
Brian Johnston; Scott Fitzpatrick, Cian Reynolds, William Fitzpatrick, Caolan Mooney; Paddy Mckenzie, Ben Watson; Nicolás Fernández-Durán, Mark Nicholson, Mark Cullen; Stephen Swan, Max Richards; Dylan Byrne, Aaron Withy, Peter Schmidt.
Jack McCall, Liam Nicholson, Fionn Luddy, Aaron Byrne, Kieran Hunter.
Max Weston.
