Ulster Bank League: Division 1B Reviews - GALWEGIANS vs OLD WESLEY

GALWEGIANS 7 OLD WESLEY 7, Crowley Park

Aidan Moynihan and Adam Griggs swapped second half tries as Galwegians and play-off hopefuls Old Wesley played out a low-scoring but entertaining draw in Glenina.

Second-from-bottom Galwegians, who won up at Ballynahinch a fortnight ago, had to absorb a lot of early pressure from the visitors who were looking to build on their excellent 30-point victory at home to Ballymena last time out.

As well as pressing from a series of visits to the 'Wegians 22, Wesley's defence was on top with young hooker Conor Maguire's well-timed tackle foiling an overlap and his work at the breakdown also leading to a turnover.

However, out-half Tim Clifford pushed a penalty effort well wide in the 13th minute and as the first half wore on, there was no change to the scoreboard. Clifford had a second penalty miss and a handling error spoiled Wesley's most promising attack.

The home side came more into the game approaching half-time, with Connacht's Ciaran Gaffney and Rory Parata both posing a threat out wide. Their teenage out-half Morgan Codyre was off target with two penalty attempts as it stayed nil-all.

It took a piece of individual brilliance from full-back Aidan Moynihan to open the scoring three minutes into the second period. He stepped in behind the Wesley defence on the 22 and raced away to the corner, with Codyre adding an excellent conversion to boot.

Wesley, who had come under prolonged pressure during scrum half Adam Kennedy's sin-binning, survived a 'Wegians purple patch without leaking more points, and they gradually clawed back territory. Their young centre David Poff had a try ruled out for a forward pass and then winger Paul Harte was bundled into touch by the corner flag.

Crucially, Galwegians were now falling foul of referee Chris Harrington's whistle. A number of penalties led to yellow cards for number 8 Eoin Tarmey and prop Jason East. On the plus side for Brian McClearn's charges, Connacht back Darragh Leader, who was returning from injury, made a very good impact off the bench.

Just when it looked like 'Wegians had the result within their grasp, a pinpoint penalty to touch from Rory Stynes set up a Wesley lineout five metres out. The hosts gave away two more penalties close to the posts and with Wesley opting for a scrum on both occasions, the gamble paid off when replacement Griggs broke and beat the defence to score a try which Kennedy converted.

There was late drama, though, when Wesley winger Brendan Monahan marked a kick but appeared to be taken out in the air. The referee consulted with his touch judge and adjudged that there was no foul play, with nothing to separate the sides in the end.