LEINSTER and All-ireland champions Wicklow showed that their mettle still burns brightly when defeating a Wexford team by the minimum at a surprisingly firm underfoot Bellefield in Enniscorthy last Sunday.

Wicklow were smartly out of the blocks and with points from Lucy Mulhall and Caoilfhionn Deeney followed by a well worked goal from Deeney following great work by Laura Hogan on the right wing Wicklow led by 1-03 to 0-01.

The Wexford rearguard were working overtime to keep the above mentioned lively forward line quiet but still found time for Stephanie Halanan, Ali Everet and Tara Moloney to score in forays forward. Wicklow replied with points from Aoife Kavanagh, Mulhall and Deeney.

A feature of this game was the Wicklow wide tally. Only two wides were recorded in the first while in the second half the number only rose to five.

Each time the ball was moved forward by both sets of forwards they threatened scores and when Mulhall buried the ball in the Wexford net to open a seven-point lead the jig looked up for the Slaneysiders. However they were thrown a lifeline when Liz Everet helped herself to a goal after Emer Miley had superbly saved a goal bound shot from the Wexford forward only to push the ball back into Liz's path and she made no mistake from the rebound. So after a fine first half the score line read Wicklow 2-08 to Wexford's 1-07.

Both the Wicklow and Wexford teams had been working tremendously hard all through the field and this continued in the second. Referee Sean Dwan contributed to a fine game by permitting the game to flow and the spectators were treated to a fabulous second half.

Wexford came sprinting out of the blocks and with supersub Fiona Rochford scoring two goals in rapid succession the tide turned in the Wexford direction.

At this stage Wicklow were now behind by four points. But with Claire Walsh from Kilbride now playing out of her skin Wicklow drove on and in a welter of excitement Deeney and Mulhall dragged Wicklow back level with time almost up.

Two massive takes by Walsh, now at the pivotal centre back position, enabled Wicklow to move the ball forward and in a scene reminiscent of their All-ireland victory the ball was worked to Laura Hogan and as she did in September she drove the ball over the bar. The only difference this time was that this point gave the lead to Wicklow.

Again Wexford tried to rally but it was fitting that the final action rested with the Kilbride girl as Walsh again got the flimsiest of touches to a potential match equalising pass and chased after the ball. When she reached it the referee blew the long whistle and Wicklow had gathered their first points of the National League.

The match was significant for both teams as new players featured on both sides. Apart from the seasoned full forward line of Deeney, Hogan and Mulhall (who between them scored 2-11) Wicklow were best served by Claire Walsh, Aisling Ní Annaidh, Jackie Kinch, Aoife Kavanagh and Sarah Miley.

While the Slaneysiders were ably assisted by Stephanie Halanan, Tara Maloney, the Evered twins Ali and Liz together with Fiona Rochford. Both managers will have learnt a lot from this match and the cobwebs were well and truly blown off both sides after their winter sojourn.

Wexford will be building towards their destiny in the Junior Championship while Wicklow work towards their Summer meeting with Longford in the Intermediate Leinster championship.

Wicklow now face a mighty battle against All-ireland Intermediate winners Westmeath in Round 2 in Greystones next Sunday at 2pm while Wexford head north to Down for a battle with the northern outfit.