Naas taste victory in battle of the table toppers
Naas: 16
Banbridge: 5
Naas senior squad hosted league leaders Banbridge at Forenaughts for their round 13 top of Ulster Bank League encounter on Saturday last (30th January).
The game kicked off in cool and blustery conditions watched by large group of enthusiastic home and visiting supporters.
For the first quarter both sides probed one another menacingly but were unable to register any scores. The first real opportunity was created by Naas in the 20th minute when influential wing, Johne Murphy made a lightening break on the left flank from halfway to inside the Banbridge 22, but the offload to supporting centre Johnny Delaney was prevented by the alert Banbridge cover and possession was turned over.
Off the next phase however, Naas lock David Benn turned over possession at the breakdown and won a crucial penalty within kicking range of the Banbridge goal. Scrum half Peter Osborne kicked confidently to register the first points in the 23rd minute to give Naas a 3 point lead.
In the 27th minute, a powerful Naas pack managed to turnover possession on their 22 off a Banbridge scrum and outhalf David Aherne kicked to the opposite 10m line. He then marked the return kick under pressure and cleared to touch on the Naas 10m line. From the subsequent Banbridge lineout Naas props, Jason Harney and Adam Coyle brilliantly secured possession and Harney attacked down the right flank to just outside the 22 but he was tackled into touch.
Following the lineout Banbridge were awarded a scrum in the centre just 10m from their goal line. They were put under
pressure however by a determined Naas pack and were driven back when Naas scrum half, Peter Osborne brilliantly secured possession and powered his way over for an outstanding try which he also converted. This extended the Naas lead to 10 points (score 10-0) in the 34th minute.
Following the restart Naas failed to secure possession and gave Banbridge an attacking scrum following a knock-on on their 10m line.
Naas were then penalised enabling Banbridge to kick for a lineout on the 22 from which they secured and mauled to within three metres of the Naas goal line on the left flank. Robust defending by the entire Naas pack however resulted in a scrum then being awarded to Naas from which out half David Aherne cleared to halfway.
Further robust Naas defence and tackling, especially by Adam Coyle, John Sutton and David Benn, in the closing minutes of the second quarter prevented any scoring opportunities for Banbridge and the interval score remained at 10-0 in favour of Naas.
In the 45th minute, Banbridge were presented with a scoring opportunity when Naas were penalised for going off their feet at a ruck 35 metres out. Their fullback, Adam Doherty kicked for goal but his attempt drifted narrowly wide to the right.
A further scoring opportunity was presented to Banbridge four minutes later when Naas were further penalised at the breakdown for not releasing. The goal kick by Adam Doherty again drifted wide, much to the relief of the home supporters.
In the 55thminute, Naas flanker Ryan Casey made a piercing break through the centre whilst combining with Henry Bryce and Peter Osborne to take play to the Banbridge 22.
Naas were then awarded an offside ruck penalty which was brilliantly kicked by Peter Osborne to extend the Naas lead to 13 points (score 13-0).
In the 60thminute, Banbridge were penalised at a scrum on halfway. David Aherne launched a long range touchline kick to the 22.
The subsequent lineout throw was secured by David Benn and the remaining Naas pack including Adam Coyle, John Sutton, Jason Harney, Paul Monahan, Ryan Casey, William O’Brien and Paul Tolofua mauled forward but play subsequently broke down following a knock-on.
In the final 10 minutes of the game, Banbridge created a number of scoring opportunities but these were mostly thwarted by robust Naas defending. Banbridge did score an outstanding try in the 75th minute however after a handling error by Naas gave them an attacking scrum platform on the Naas 22.
They then stretched the Naas defenceon the right flank and their influential centre Andrew Morrison broke through for a try in the right corner. The conversion however was not successful leaving the score at 13-5.
It was Naas however who were to have the final say in the 79th minute and this resulted from a ruck offside penalty against Banbridge on their 22. Peter Osborne again slotted over confidently to give a final score of Naas 16-5 Banbridge.
Naas senior squad next travel to Belfast on Saturday 6th February for their round 14 UBL game against Queens University which kicks off at 2:30 pm at Dub Lane. With only five league games remaining (including two home games v Cashel on 20th February and Skerries on 2nd April) this is an important fixture and all travelling support is both encouraged and most welcome.
Scores / Scorers:
Naas: 16 (Peter Osborne 1 try, 1 con, 3 pens)
Banbridge 5: (Andrew Morrison 1 try)
Naas Team:
15. Fionn Higgins 14. Rob O’Connor (Niall O’Neill, 60’) 13. Johnny Delaney 12. Henry Bryce (Ben Swindlehurst, 60’) 11. Johne Murphy 10. David Aherne (Capt.) 9. Peter Osborne 1. Adam Coyle (Shane Reilly, 65’) 2. John Sutton (Charles Kings, 75’) 3. Jason Harney 4. Paul Monahan (Johnny Holmes, 70’) 5. David Benn 6. Ryan Casey 7. William O’Brien 8. Paul Tolofua (Johnny Holmes, 32’Paul Tolofua, 50’). Replacements: 16. Charles Kings 17. Shane Reilly 18. Johnny Holmes 19. Niall O’Neill 20. Ben Swindlehurst
Banbridge Team:
15. Adam Doherty 14. John Porter 13. Andrew Morrison 12. Jonathan Little 11. Adam Ervine 10. Shandon Scott 9. Lee Steenson 1. Stuart Cromie 2. Peter Cromie 3. James McCrum 4. Christopher Allen 5. Kallan Martin 6. Mike Bentley 7. Dale Carson 8. Stephen Irvine. Replacements: 16. Fraser Mulholland 17. Colin Bickerstaff 18. Ryan Patterson 19. Clark McAllister 20. Robin Sinton.