Having upset the form book with a nail-biting win over the D4 heavyweights at Holmpatrick in the reverse fixture before Christmas, Skerries were keen to pick up where they left off, but Wanderers showed why they are the team to beat in AIL Division 2B this season, as a clinical first half performance proved decisive.

The hosts took the lead inside the first five minutes as their lineout maul took advantage of an ideal platform on the Skerries 5m line, and flanker, Conor Fenlon claimed the touchdown under a mass of bodies, with out-half David Fitzgibbon adding the conversion.

Skerries were level less than five minutes later though, as Tim Deering expertly intercepted a delayed pass just outside his own ’22 and outpaced the defense to notch his first AIL try under the posts – Ronan Mulcahy adding the easiest of extras for 7-7.

An eventful opening continued at pace as the Wanderers lineout maul went to work again. This time, with penalty advantage accruing, Fitzgibbon played a fantastic crosskick to the right , where winger Jamie Murphy gathered on the slide and beat the last tackle to score in the corner, from where the out-half slotted the difficult kick.

On 15 minutes, a well-struck penalty from Mulcahy closed the gap to four points but by the end of the first quarter, the hosts had extended their lead again through the lineout maul, as Fenlon claimed his second try of the afternoon and Fitzgibbon made it 21-10.

Unsurprisingly, the scoring rate slowed down somewhat thereafter and with both sides reduced to 14 men for a period, Fitzgibbon and Mulcahy then traded penalties, to leave things poised at 24-13 approaching the interval.

There was still time for Wanderers to create another opportunity and, after their initial efforts were repelled by some stoic defense, a breakdown infringement gave them an attacking scrum and from the set piece move, Murphy wormed his way under a tackle for his second, and a bonus point-fourth for his side.

Fitzgibbon’s prolific day continued, as his conversion made it 31-13 at the break.

Skerries took to the second-half impressively, with Darragh McEneaney, Paddy Finn and Mikey Sherlock leading the way in typically physical fashion, and it certainly couldn’t be said that the visitors lacked in creating scoring opportunities.

It looked as though Evann Shelley had got them right back in the game when he crashed over in the right hand corner on 46 minutes, only for the officials to rule that he had been in touch before grounding the ball.

Skerries were over the Wanderers line again a few minutes later but this time Tim Deering couldn’t quite hold the final pass under pressure, after Davey Goodman found his way through a gap.

The Wanderers scramble defense was immense throughout the second half and they continually managed to get bodies in the right place at the right time to frustrate the Skerries attack.

With minimal possession to speak of, they were more than happy when the opportunity arose to kick for goal with a quarter of an hour remaining, as Fitzgibbon’s boot extended the lead out to 34-13 and effectively killed the game.

Skerries continued to press and were eventually rewarded for their endeavour when Sam Deering – not to be outdone by his younger brother – crossed under the posts after sustained pressure inside the Wanderers half.

Paul O’Loghlen drop-kicked the conversion with urgency, in the hope that they might get a chance to get back within seven points but it proved to be final act of the game.

Next up for Skerries is the visit of Clogher Valley to Holmpatrick next Saturday, when the hosts will be keen to make up for a disappointing result in Co Tyrone back in December.

Skerries versus Wanderers:

1. Trevor Scuffil
2. ⁠Kieran Leonard (capt)
3. ⁠Evann Shelley
4. Cian McGuinness
5. ⁠Sam Deering
6. ⁠Alex Cleary
7. ⁠Darragh McEneaney
8. ⁠Paddy Finn
9. John Healy
10. Paul O’Loghle
11. Kevin McGrath
12. Mike Sherlock
13. Tim Deering
14. Davey Goodman
15. Ronan Mulcahy

16. ⁠ Cal Marrey
17. ⁠Tomás O’Donovan
18. ⁠Ben McKiernan
19. ⁠Shane Hannon
20. Jack Litchfield