Newbridge stunned as New Ross leave Rosetown with late bonus-point victory
Jack Moore (Newbridge) runs into traffic as New Ross try to close down the explosive flanker on an ice-cold afternoon in Rosetown.
Newbridge were on the wrong side of a shock upset on a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon in Rosetown, as New Ross ended a five-game losing streak to leave Kildare with the win.
The home side were well on top in the opening 20 minutes, but New Ross were the better team for the last hour and crossed for four tries to secure a huge bonus-point victory.
Newbridge came into the game following back-to-back victories, beating Edenderry on home soil before picking up a three-point win away to Cill Dara last time out - a win that saw them go level with their Kildare rivals in third place.
New Ross beat Edenderry on the first day of the season but lost their next five games, including a nine-point defeat at home to table toppers, Coolmine, last time out.
Handling errors was the theme of the opening ten minutes, with both sides dropping the ball when the try seemed to be on.
Line-breaks in midfield from back rowers Mark Bennett and Tom Treacy led to a penalty for Newbridge, with Donal Cashman kicking the hosts into the lead in the 13th minute.
The fly half added another penalty just three minutes later before a wonderful break down the line from winger Gary Houlihan released James Parkinson, with the center going in for the opening try midway through the first half.
Newbridge were on top in the set piece, with the penalty count becoming a concern for New Ross.
The visitors did manage to get on the front foot, thanks largely to flanker Alex Coyne taking over throwing duties at the lineout. Newbridge lost a man to the sin bin following repeated infringements on their own line, with New Ross going through numerous phases before finally powering their way over through the aforementioned Coyne.
New Ross went to their phase game again after the restart and almost got over for a second try just before half time, but the Newbridge defence showed wonderful resolve to keep the visitors at bay and go off at the break leading 11-5.
Cashman extended the lead with his third penalty just two minutes into the second half, but the hosts found themselves back defending their own line just two minutes later.
New Ross again won a couple of penalties, choosing to tap and go both times, with substitute Liam Whelan crossing at the base of the post for a try. Sean Kinsella somehow missed the conversion that would have brought his side level.
But the visitors were in front in the 50th minute when they went over in the corner for a third try - again thanks to the power of their forwards as prop James Ryan emerged with the ball. Having missed a sitter moments earlier, Kinsella curled this conversation beautifully between the uprights.
The lead was short-lived, however, as another prop crossed for a try - this time Newbridge's Dave Morgan. Cashman added the extras to make it a four-point game with 25 minutes remaining.
The next 15 minutes were somewhat disjointed as both sides emptied their benches.
New Ross were back in front though with eight minutes left on the clock when Kinsella burrowed over from close range. He again missed the conversion to leave the visitors up by just the minimum.
The Wexford men closed out the game well, pinning the hosts back in their own half to leave Rosetown with all five points.
Up next for Newbridge is another home game as they welcome second-place Longford to Rosetown this coming Sunday.
Daragh Whyte; Gav Houlihan, Riain Murphy, James Parkinson (1 try), Stephen Cooke; Donal Cashman (3 pens, 1 con), Kevin Comanne; Dave Morgan (1 try), William Jennings, Bren Comanne; Cam English, Jack Moore; Mark Bennett, Oisin Clarke, Tom Treacy.
Adam Bingham, Cillian Beirne, Shane Treacy, John O’Brien, Gregor Gourlay.
Yaseen Williams; Craig Bradley, Walter Walsh, Sean Kinsella (1 try, 1 con), Cormac Tierney; Kieran Butler, Peter Waters; Jimmy Bryan, David Bailey, James Ryan (1 try); Jamie Brennan, Rory Browne; Alex Coyne (1 try), John Joe Lawless, Tim Coughlan.
Jordan O’Brien, Liam Whelan (1 try), Brian Bolger, Eoghan O'Dwyer, Matt Crowdle.
Dave Morris
