THIS WAS anything but a test of resolve for Wexford who still looked far from impressive as they eventually fashioned out a 14-point victory over a very limited Down outfit in this Allianz Hurling League Division 2 game at Wexford Park on Sunday last. While it was business as usual for Wexford and the collection of a further two points, with Down fighting the good fight during the 70 minutes, this was still a game which gave the 400-odd attendance little to enthuse over, with home followers left pondering their side's future and ability to move out of lower grade hurling.

Wexford started as unbackable favourites. It was a game they were never going to lose but, in taking the two points, the sides failed to play with any real passion in their hurling, while the quality of their play suggests they could have some really difficult games ahead.

If Wexford have loftier ambitions, these will be severely tested in their next outing away to Clare as, on the evidence of this showing, Colm Bonnar must be seriously concerned at the poor quality of his side's hurling and their lack of sparkle and passion which is such a crucial part of the Model county make-up.

Even at this point Wexford will need to bring about huge improvement if they are to come away from Ennis with a win. A defeat would leave them in a position of not being able to lose a further game in order to qualify for the final. Given the evidence of the weekend games, more surprises are capable of being sprung in this group, with Wexford also away to Laois and Carlow.

Wexford got the scoreboard ticking within 90 seconds when full-forward Tomás Waters pounced on a breaking ball inside the small square to send one-handed to the net past a bemused defence. When Rory Jacob added a point within 30 seconds, it looked as if the home side was already in cruise control.

Down opened their account in the third minute through a John McCusker point, which was followed almost immediately with a point from Paul Keith.

There was nothing to suggest at this early stage that one was going to witness a competitive tie, as Wexford responded through points from Jim Berry and two from Diarmuid Lyng to lead by 1-4 to 0-2 after eight minutes.

From a long clearance out of defence, Gareth Johnson gathered and was fouled, leaving Eoin Clarke to point the resulting free. After eleven minutes Wexford 'keeper Dermot Flynn only succeeded in pulling a high ball down into the path of full-forward Paul Braniff who was fouled. From the resulting semi-penalty, Johnson crashed the ball to the roof of the net, and on 14 minutes a long Simon Wilson free had the sides level (1-4 each).

Wexford responded with four unanswered points from Andrew Shore, two Lyng frees and P.J. Nolan to stretch clear. While Brendan Ennis had a 24th-minute point - the visitors' last score before the break - the home side closed off the half with points from Jim Berry, substitute Peter Atkinson, Rory Jacob, Tomás Waters with two and Berry again in between, to lead by 1-14 to 1-5.

Wexford had a let-off in additional time. Having conceded a second semi-penalty, this time they managed to knock Johnson's effort away to safety.

The second-half became a foregone conclusion. Down had the advantage of a stiffening breeze, with a Simon Wilson long-range point getting them off to the best possible start. Two minutes into the half Diarmuid Lyng pointed, this time from play.

Then came a decision which practically ended Down's interests when they had centre-back Conor Woods sent-off on a straight red card in the 42nd minute following a wild pull on a Wexford attacker.

Wexford profited from their numerical advantage with Lyng and Berry tagging on points, before the Faythe Harriers clubman had his side's second goal after 49 minutes when he slotted home from close range after a long Darren Stamp free broke on the edge of the square.

Neither side managed to up the tempo of their game in the closing 17 minutes as Wexford, now leading by 218 to 1-7, were content to just pick off points despite the urgings of manager Colm Bonnar to up their game and put their opponents to the sword.

Lyng and Berry continued to be their side's chief marksmen, while Simon Wilson's efforts helped to give Down a more respectable final scoreline.

This was a poor-quality game, doing little for Wexford hurling. No wonder Bonnar is so anxious for his side to clinch promotion and return to the top flight. Whatever his ambitions, he has a difficult road ahead of him.

- BRENDAN FURLONG In Wexford Park