Naas remain in charge of their own destiny despite defeat
Naas's Dylan O'Keeffe in action. Photo: Martin Rowe.
The penultimate weekend of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B saw Naas travel to Energia Park last Saturday to face Old Wesley. This game had major implications at both ends of the league table – Old Wesley went into it leading the league by a point and striving for a victory in their bid for automatic promotion, while Naas were in eighth place in the table and were desperate for a win to help them avoid dropping into the relegation play-offs.
The 3G synthetic pitch leads to open, attractive rugby and this was certainly the case on Saturday with the game being played at a ferocious pace from start to finish. The home side enjoyed early dominance in terms of possession and territory and deservedly took the lead after 18 minutes. When they were awarded a penalty in the Naas 22 scrum-half Evan Kenny took a quick tap catching the Naas defence unawares. He was finally hauled down just short of the line, the ball was recycled and Mahon Ronan crashed over. Tom Larke added the conversion. Their lead was doubled just four minutes later. From a scrum on the Naas 22, big carries by Ethan Black and Mahon Ronan drove the visitors defence backwards, before Evan Kenny popped a pass to Jamie Clark who sliced through to score. Tom Larke again converted to put his side 14 points ahead.
Naas got the tonic of a great score just before the half-time whistle. Will O’Brien won a line-out on the 22, and following it the ball was moved quickly along the backline out to Donal Conroy on the right wing, and he showed great pace to get in at the corner. Although Paddy Taylor was narrowly off the target with his conversion attempt, Naas were back in the game at 14-5, which proved to be the interval score.
Within six minutes of the resumption Naas were in for another try. Old Wesley were penalised for holding on at a ruck on the half-way line, and the subsequent penalty was taken quickly by Tadgh Brophy. He then passed to Paddy Taylor who fed Charlie Sheridan, and the latter raced clear taking play into the Old Wesley 22. The ball was then recycled and a long pass by Oisin Halpin found Dewald Barnard out wide, who in turn fed Donal Conroy to dive in at the corner. The conversion by Paddy Taylor was unsuccessful, but Naas had reduced the Old Wesley lead to 14-10.
However the power of the Old Wesley pack was becoming more and more evident, and was leading to the concession of numerous scrum penalties by Naas. This gave the home side the platform to attack, and two quick tries midway through the second-half settled the game as a contest. The first one came after 58 minutes, when big carries by Stephen Smyth and Charlie Hempenstall took play up to the Naas line, before Cathal Kelly picked and crashed over to score. Then after 61 minutes Eoin Deegan made a break on half-way, the ball was then moved out to the left wing to Jarrod Homan who raced away before being stopped just short of the line. However Old Wesley had plenty of players in support and they quickly recycled the ball and found Stephen Smyth who dived over for the try. With Tom Larke converting both scores the home side now led 28-10.
Naas responded after 64 minutes when great hands by Donal Conroy and Paddy Taylor created space for Tadgh Brophy who raced away to score under the posts. Paddy Taylor converted this try, but Old Wesley quenched any thoughts of a sensational comeback when adding a fifth try after 75 minutes, when Jarrod Homan showed great strength to hold off a couple of Naas tacklers to power over. Tom Larke converted to make the score 35-17.
However Naas were not finished and with a minute left they scored what could prove to be an invaluable score. Jason Cutler magnificently stripped possession from Billy Corrigan, the ball was then moved out to David O’Sullivan who raced down the left wing before passing to the supporting Paddy Taylor, who held off Jarrod Homan to score in the corner. This try gave Naas a try scoring bonus point which is vital in their bid to retain Division 1A status. Paddy Taylor was unable to convert his try and straight away referee Jack MacNeice blew the full-time whistle leaving a final score of Old Wesley 35 – Naas 22.
Soon afterwards word came through that UCC had lost to Instonians but had secured a losing bonus point, meaning that the positions remain unchanged heading into the last round of fixtures. For Naas matters are in their own hands – a win will see them stay up. Next Saturday, April 4th they host Instonians, this game has a 2.30pm kick-off, and as always all support will be greatly appreciated for such a vital game.
Tom Larke, Paidi Farrell, Ethan Black, Eoin Deegan, Charlie Hempenstall, Niall Carroll, Evan Kenny, Jamie Clark, Kieran O’Shea (capt), Kian Regan, Billy Corrigan, Mahon Ronan, Luke O’Connor, Cathal Kelly, Pat McBarron.
Stephen Smyth, Ben Popplewell, Dan Campbell, Charlie Meagher, Andrew Doyle, Jarrod Homan.
Tom Monaghan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Dylan O’Keeffe, Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Tadhg Brophy, Dewald Barnard, Graham Reynolds, Stephen Lackey, James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin, Muiris Cleary, Will O’Brien (capt), Paulie Tolofua.
Replacements: Tadgh Dooley, Patrick Brophy, Eoin Walsh, Jason Cutler, Cormac King, David O’Sullivan.
Jack MacNeice
