Greenock Wanderers ended their 2011/12 Scottish Premier League Third Division campaign on a high at Fort Matilda on Saturday by ruthlessly putting visitors Kirkcaldy to the sword with an outstanding second-half performance that produced five tries.

For the Wanderers, it was a fitting end to the career of long-serving coach Dave McVey and to the current playing career of back row star Graham Mooney. A tough, dour struggle in the first-half was totally eclipsed by an exhilarating second 40 minutes during which Wanderers produced some of their best rugby of the season.

Initially though it was Kirkcaldy who settled into the match best and stamped their authority on proceedings with some impressive phases of play during the first quarter. Wanderers struggled to contain the Fifers and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring with a penalty on six minutes after Wanderers were penalised for entering the ruck from the wrong side. Full-back Connor Littlejohn made no mistake from the tee to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

Kenny Diffenthal levelled the score two minutes later when a similar award went Wanderers' way but it was the visitors who continued in the ascendancy.

On 18 minutes, Kirkcaldy secured field position deep inside Wanderers half and from third phase possession, skipper and prop forward Willie Gray barrelled his way over the Greenock line for the first try of the match.

Wanderers' riposte was immediate and once more the boot of Diffenthal kept the local's in touch when he converted another penalty after an offside decision went against the visitors straight from the restart.

Greenock began to edge their way into the contest and although 8-6 adrift they opted not to kick two further penalties that would have given them the lead. The tide was certainly turning as Wanderers began to get the better of the Fifers particularly in the close quarter exchanges where back row stars Mooney, John Stewart and Callum Robb were prominent.

On the stroke of half-time, Robb was somewhat harshly sin-binned after referee Tom McNicol lost his patience with persistent offending but amazingly, it was 14-man Wanderers who came flying out of the traps in the second period.

On 41 minutes, Leigh Tyley scored the try of the season and one of the best ever seen at Fort Matilda. The Wanderers' winger took possession midway inside his own half then set off on a mazy run during which he bobbed and weaved his way through the entire Kirkcaldy back line before touching down wide on the left.

The rapturous applause for Tyley's effort had barely diminished when a few moments later Kieren Smith took possession inside the Kirkcaldy half and kicked ahead before outstripping the cover defence to collect and dot down under the posts. Diffenthal chipped over the conversion to put Wanderers in the driving seat with a lead of 18-8.

Wanderers now had their tails up and another Diffenthal penalty on 50 minutes kept the scoreboard ticking over.

On the hour mark, scrum half Andy McDougall spread the play after quality line-out ball had been secured by skipper Matt Gray and Diffenthal's disguised loop pass to Allan Knox was gratefully received by the winger who blasted through two tacklers on his way over the line. Diffenthal converted to increase the lead to 28-8.

With the match effectively won, Wanderers poured on the agony for the visitors by launching wave after wave of attack. On 75 minutes, more quality line-out ball from Gray was put through the hands and centre Smith sliced through the Kirkcaldy rearguard to touch down between the sticks. Diffenthal knocked over the conversion to stretch the advantage to 35-8.

The last word though went to captain Matt Gray. With the last play of the game and indeed the season, Tyley made another searing break through the midfield channel which was carried on by Jonathon King. When the Wanderers starlet was tackled close to the line his pop pass was collected by the skipper who completed his tenure of office by touching down under the posts. Diffenthal's conversion completed the scoring.

President Graeme Alexander said: "It was a fitting end to the season and we could not have wished for a better result. I was delighted for Dave McVey, Matt Gray and Graham Mooney who all enjoyed their final contribution with a great victory and a top class performance" Wanderers: Callum Reid, Leigh Tyley, Kieren Smith, Brendan McGroarty, Allan Knox, Kenny Diffenthal, Andy McDougall, Dave Paton, Yan Young, Marc Coyle, Matt Gray (captain), Jamie Mooney, John Stewart, Graham Mooney, Callum Robb. Replacements; Stewart Alexander, Jonathon King, Aidan Crossan.

  • Wanderers are sponsored by Texas Instruments