COOLMINE 13 OLD WESLEY 40
Our famous tradition of fielding and dominating the respective 3rd XV competitions and leagues continued this season with our team achieving an impressive run of league form culminating in a winner takes all in the final playoff against a seasoned and experienced Old Wesley XV in Donnybrook. Old Wesley who were the previous seasons runners up, approached this game with one league final lost last season with intent and vigor but Coolmine had other ideas and were not going to be second best on this occasion competing aggressively and passionately for this very special trophy which is very dear to us all at Coolmine RFC, namely the Dr. Bill Linihan Memorial Cup dedicated to our co-founder.
Both teams for this League final met on the home ground of Old Wesley on the new 4g pitch for a game that promised a great deal of specific types of rugby styles; hard and determined forward orientated play from Coolmine or the Wesley style of free flowing combative and utterly competitive rugby underlining their seasons impressive performance in this seasons league winning against all teams including ourselves.
The game itself started well for Coolmine with some dominance in all aspects forward and backs involved skill level contributed to an excellent try on 3 minutes with a valuable 5 points scored. Unfortunately we didn’t convert due to a difficult angle on the 22. The restart commenced and Wesley were dominant and commanding secure ball possession and despite great Coolmine defence in opposing a strong Old Wesley forward orientated play resulted in a great try by them and converted too which left the score after 18 minutes Old Wesley led at 14 – 05. Old Wesley conceded a penalty close to the conclusion of the first half which was kicked successfully by Coolmine narrowing the gap to 14-8 at the conclusion of the first half.
As the second half commenced we had a great flourish to take the game to our opposition and show what we meant. We fought hard and resiliently, but allowed Old Wesley to commence a great move which culminated in a further Old Wesley try on the 6th minute of the second half to stretch the score difference to a now 21-8. An upward battle loomed for Coolmine RFC to overtake the point’s difference and establish dominance. However this was Old Wesley’s purple patch and they went 3 try’s unanswered by Coolmine the home team showed dominance and decent ability to demonstrate their impact. The score in the second half was now a very daunting 40-8 with tremendous Old Wesley dominance capitalised with their impressive score line. However , the Coolmine spirit didn’t surrender and we kept fighting creating our own pressure with our fighting spirit leading us to securing a second try in the dying minutes and left the final score at 40 – 13.
Old Wesley claimed the Dr. Bill Linihan Cup which was presented by Billy Linihan. Coolmine RFC fought hard with a young team and what we can be assured of as that our 3rd team will return next season with a harder, smarter and experienced team. We look forward to the next season following their progress. Our congratulations to the team’s leadership and coaches on a job well done.
