Storm Amy abated in time for this Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B contest to be played last Saturday afternoon, and with the exception of a heavy shower towards the end of the first half, conditions were decent for players and spectators alike. Games between these two sides over the years have tended to be close affairs, but this was not the case here as the visitors ran out comfortable victors.

Naas made one change to their starting line-up from their previous defeat by Instonians, with Ryan Casey returning to the side, and they had the benefit of the breeze at their backs for the opening forty minutes. However it was Old Wesley who looked more likely to open the scoring in the early exchanges. After three minutes Naas were penalised for a high tackle, and the resulting penalty for this infringement was dispatched to touch. From the line-out the visitors set up a driving maul and when this was stopped there followed a series of pick and goes by their pack. To their credit the Naas defence stood firm, and bravely knocked back every attack, eventually winning themselves a penalty, from which they were able to clear their lines.

However the visitors continued to dominate both possession and territory, and deservedly hit the front after 16 minutes. From a scrum under the Naas posts, the ball was moved out to full-back Tom Larke, who was stopped just short of the line, before Shane Cawley picked up from the base of the subsequent ruck to crash over. Larke converted and the visitors led by seven points.

Naas almost replied immediately when they created an overlap out wide left, but the final pass failed to go to hand with the try line beckoning. However, they were not to be denied for long. After 26 minutes, a series of attacks by the Naas backs stretched the visitors defence, and created space for Paddy Taylor who held off an attempted tackle to score. Although the conversion was missed by Tom Bohan, the home side had reduced the margin to 7-5. Then straight from the kick-off some great footwork by Charlie Sheridan saw him evade two tackles and his offload was flicked on by Paddy Taylor to Eoin Walsh. The latter showed great pace to charge down the right wing, and he then ran right through the attempted tackle by Tom Larke to score a superb try. Tom Bohan was unlucky to see his conversion attempt hit the post, but Naas now led for the first time by ten points to seven.

However Old Wesley were to finish the half strongly. On 33 minutes a big carry by Ben Popplewell took play up to the 22, and when the ball was moved out to the backs Niall Carroll broke free, before offloading to the supporting Tom Larke who raced away to score, restoring the lead for the visitors. Tom Bohan was just off target with a difficult penalty attempt after 36 minutes for the home side, but then on the stroke of half-time Old Wesley struck again. Naas were caught offside and the penalty was kicked to touch. From the line-out the visitors set up a maul, driving Naas right back and crashing over the try line, with Kieran O’Shea being awarded the try. Larke was again on target with this conversion attempt, and immediately afterwards referee Jonathan Erskine blew the half-time whistle, with Wesley in front by 19 points to ten.

Within three minutes of the resumption things got worse for Naas. From a line-out on the 22 Wesley set up a maul from which Kieran O’Shea broke away from, and he raced clear to score without a hand being laid on him. This secured the try bonus point for Old Wesley and with Larke knocking over the conversion the visitors were 26-10 in front. Then after 60 minutes they went further in front. They won a scrum penalty which was dispatched to touch, and again set up a maul. Rian Handley broke away and a powerful carry gained yards, before the ball was passed to the onrushing Charlie Meagher who powered over for another try. The impressive Tom Larke again converted to make it 33-10 to the visitors.

To their credit Naas never stopped trying and finished strongly. Play for the remaining minutes was spent in the Old Wesley half, and the home side went close to scoring on a couple of occasions. Eventually their persistence paid off when in the dying moments of the game a long pass by Tom Bohan found Charlie Sheridan out wide left, and he stepped inside an attempted tackle to score. The conversion was missed, meaning the final score was 33-15 to Old Wesley.

Although defeated, Naas can take positives from this outing. The performance was certainly an improvement on their previous outing. They are also a very young side – no less than eight of the starting line-up have played less than 20 times at this level – and it is going to take time for them to gel together. Once the first victory is gained it could open the floodgates for many more.

Next up for them is a away fixture against Dublin University, next Saturday afternoon at Trinity College. Kick-off is at 2.30pm and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Naas: Charlie Sheridan, Donal Conroy, Paddy Taylor, Dylan O’Keeffe, Tom Monaghan, Tom Bohan, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, Oisin Halpin, James O’Loughlin, Eoin Walsh, Will O’Brien (capt), Ryan Casey. Replacements: John King, Thomas Adams, James Stockwood, Paulie Tolofua, Cormac King, David O’Sullivan.

Old Wesley: Tom Larke, Jules Fenelon, Ethan Black, Eoin Deegan, Jarrod Homan, Niall Caroll, Evan Kenny, Jamie Clark, Kieran O’Shea, Ben Popplewell, Shane Cawley, Luke O’Connor, Cathal Kelly, Daniel Campbell, Pat McBaroon. Replacements: Rian Handley, Kian Regan, Liam O’Neill, Paidi Farrell, Charlie Hempensthall, Stephen Hendy.

Referee: Jonathan Erskine.