Newbridge right the wrongs of last season with big win away to New Ross
The Newbridge huddle following their impressive victory away to New Ross.
Newbridge travelled to New Ross to avenge last season's defeats to the Wexford side, the only team to complete the league double over Newbridge. The visitors faced a difficult task, missing several key forwards, including captain Will Jennings and vice-captain Brendan Commane, with Tim Murphy taking over the captaincy for the day.
Playing into a strong breeze in wet, windy conditions, Newbridge came under early pressure from a powerful New Ross pack. The visitors suffered another setback when tighthead Jack Barry was forced off after just 10 minutes, but excellent defending kept the home side at bay.
Against the run of play, a midfield turnover saw Riain Murphy release Eimhin Conroy, who raced clear to score in the corner. Yaseen Williams responded with a penalty for New Ross before Newbridge began to take control. After sustained pressure deep in home territory, a quick penalty found Tim Murphy, who powered over and converted to extend the lead. A second Williams penalty left Newbridge 12–6 ahead at the break.
With the wind at their backs, Newbridge started the second half brightly. A clever kick behind the defence from Murphy put New Ross under pressure, and after a turnover, Murphy kicked wide to Conroy, who popped it to the onrushing Max McLoughlin for a try. Murphy converted to stretch the lead to 19–6.
New Ross fought back strongly, with hooker David Bailey crossing following a series of close-range drives to reduce the deficit to 19–13. The home side kept applying pressure through their powerful driving maul, and a succession of penalties sent Robbie Waters to the sin bin. New Ross made their numerical advantage count, with Bailey crossing for his second try from another driving maul. The conversion drifted wide, leaving Newbridge with a slender 19–18 lead.
Fergal O'Grady and Michael Ugochukwu added fresh physicality to the Newbridge pack, while Cillian Beirne impressed at tighthead, helping keep the scrum solid against heavier opposition.
With the game in the balance, captain Murphy produced some superb tactical kicking to keep New Ross pinned deep in their own half. A crucial penalty stretched Newbridge's lead to 22–18 as the clock ticked down.
Newbridge finished strongly, forcing a turnover inside the home 22 before Ugochukwu powered over from close range for the bonus-point try. Murphy added the conversion to seal an impressive 29–18 victory.
Newbridge showed tremendous character, overcoming difficult conditions, key absences, and a powerful home pack to claim all five league points. Murphy led by example with an outstanding performance, while the entire squad showed great resilience to secure another important away win.
Yaseen Williams; Jack Ryan, Jack Brennan, Sean Kinsella, Michael Hunt; Eoghan O'Dwyer, Eythan Van Tonder; James Bryan, David Bailey, James Ryan; Rory Browne, Sean Whelan; Jake Cullen, Tim Coughlan, James Fitzgerald.
Sean Glapiak, Jamie Brennan, Liam Whelan, Cormac Tierney, Aaron Fenlon.
Eimhin Conroy; Gavin Houlihan, Caleb Aiulu, Riain Murphy, Stephen Cooke; Tim Murphy, Robert Waters; David Morgan, Max McLoughlin, Jack Barry; Mark Bennett, Cameron English; Patrick Corbett, Chris Leech, Eoin Walsh.
Michael Ugochukwu, Cillian Beirne, Fergal O'Grady, Kevin Commane, Donal Cashman.
