Naas pipped, late on, by Blackrock College in Energia AIL Division 1B

Buoyed by their previous victory over Armagh, Naas travelled to Dublin for this Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B fixture against Blackrock College last Saturday in confident mood. Although they returned defeated, it was only narrowly after a classic game between two fine sides.

Naas fielded an unchanged side, but they were rocked back on their heels within four minutes by an opening Blackrock try. From a line-out take just outside the Naas 22 the home side moved the ball into midfield where Brian Colclough had joined the line. He put in a chip behind the Naas defence which was not dealt with by the visitors, and it somehow squirted back to Colclough who touched it down for a score.

Daniel Squires hit the post with his conversion attempt, but he was on the mark after 13 minutes with a penalty effort which extended the Blackrock lead to eight points.

The Kildare men responded with a fine try after 18 minutes. A big carry by Paulie Tolofua drove the home defence backwards before the ball was released to the backs. Some fine hands put Paddy Taylor into space and he strode forward, before drawing in the last defender and passing out to Donal Conory who finished in style. Taylor was successful with the conversion to leave just one point between the sides.

Daniel Squires added another penalty for Blackrock after 29 minutes, but Naas struck for their second try on the stroke of half-time.

A huge Naas scrum won a penalty which was dispatched to touch. From the line-out, big carries by Darragh Murphy, Oisin Halpin and Paulie Tolofua drove Naas forward before the ball was moved to Paddy Taylor who put in a lovely little chip over the home defenders. Derry Lenehan won the chase for the loose ball and touched down to score. Although the conversion was missed, Naas led for the first time by 12 points to 11, which proved to be the interval score.

The second-half started at a frantic pace and within ninety seconds Naas had scored again. A lovely kick by Derry Lenehan won a 50-22 and from the line-out a driving maul was set up.

When this was stopped Naas moved the ball into midfield where Charlie Sheridan took a great line, splitting the defence apart to score. Paddy Taylor kicked the resulting conversion. Just two minutes later Blackrock responded. Naas failed to deal with the restart which put the home side on the front foot, and after a series of carries by their pack they attacked down the blind side, leading to David Fortune scoring in the corner. Daniel Squires missed the conversion.

On 48 minutes Naas secured their try scoring bonus point. Good ball retention saw the visitors take play up to the Blackrock ten metre before Paulie Tolofua received the ball out on the left wing. He sold a great dummy before releasing Jack Sheridan who sprinted away to score. A great conversion by Paddy Taylor gave Naas a ten point lead - 26-16.

A great chip in behind the Naas defence by Tim Corkery forced the visitors to concede a line-out five metres from their own line. However at the line-out the ball was overthrown by Jamie Rogan, it was gathered by Naas and they were able to clear their lines. However the reprieve did not last long.

A series of big carries by the Blackrock pack drove Naas backwards, and when they moved the ball left there was an overlap out wide which they exploited, and led to Barry Galvin scoring. Daniel Squires added the conversion to reduce the margin to just three points.

After 64 minutes Blackrock powered over the Naas line, but Oisin Halpin did superbly well to get a hand under the ball and earn his side a goal-line drop out. But the home side snatched victory right at the death.

Finally they elected to tap another penalty awarded, again their pack drove at the Naas line, but this time they then moved the ball wide right to Harry Waters, who managed to squeeze in at the corner for the winning score. Daniel Squires added the conversion to huge scenes of jubilation amongst the home supporters whose team now led by 30-26.

There was not enough time left on the clock for Naas to respond and so it was a narrow, heartbreaking defeat for them. However they can take great credit for the performance that they put up, which was one of their best of the season.

Certainly a repeat of this in their remaining games will see them move away from the relegation zone.

As of now the bottom five in the table are: Garryowen (32 points), UCC (30 points), Blackrock College (27 points), Naas (26 points) and Queen's University (14 points).

Naas are next back in action on Saturday, February 28, with a home fixture against Queen's University. This game has a 2.30pm kick-off, and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Blackrock College: Brian Colclough, Harry Waters, Matthew Dawn, Daniel Squires, Barry Galvin, Tim Corkery, Oliver Coffey, Paddy Moore, Jamie Rogan, Alex Mullan, John Forde, Jack Gardiner, James Burke (capt), Dave Fortune, Inigo Cruise O’Brien. Replacements: Richie Allen, David Crowley, Andrew Savage, Alex Simpson, Peter Quirke, Matthew McCarthy.

NAAS: Derry Lenehan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin, Darragh Murphy, Will O’Brien (capt), Paulie Tolofua. Replacements: Fintan O’Malley, Callum Coyne, Eoin Walsh, Muiris Cleary, Cormac King, Tom Bohan.

Referee: Dermot Blake.

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