14 January 2012

Leinster League, Division 1A
Newbridge 21 Coolmine 5

Newbridge produced a first half performance full of power and pace that left Coolmine floundering in a game that could decide which of the clubs make a top four finish. There were superb individual displays by players in Newbridge shirts, in particular Ryan Jones at scrum half and flanker Austin Cella, as three tries were scored without reply in the first 30 minutes.
The manner and timing of the victory couldn’t have come at a better time as the season enters the league’s decisive end-game period. Niall Duggan got the first try after a series of pick and jams as the Newbridge pack piled on the early pressure.
At No.8 Rory McCann was in rampaging form while props Eddie Southern and Grant Wattleworth were firmly in control at the set pieces.
The back three with Karl Darragh at full back made sure Coolmine’s relieving kicks were turned in attacking opportunities as wingers Padraig Mahon and Dave Hogan stretched the Coolmine defence.
A penalty on 27 minutes was kicked into the corner and while Newbridge lost the throw-in they forced a five metre scrum.
McCann went off the back created the space for Cella bursting through for a top class score.
Darragh made no mistake with his second kick to make it 14-0.
The Coolmine kicker showed less accuracy and made a complete mess of very kickable that would have put his side on the scoreboard.
At outhalf Harry Murphy was showing his early season form and a clever tactical kick in broken play gave winger Mahon a target.
He snatched the high ball from the Coolmine cover and as he fell popped up the perfect pass for centre Ben Swindlehurst to sail over for the third try.
Newbridge suffered as McCann and then Mahon were both forced off through injury and Coolmine enjoyed their best patch.
Hogan intercepted a ball but was judge off-side and sin-binned for his trouble.
Coolmine then muscled over from a line out to score a try on the stroke of half to leave it 21-5

The second half saw Coolmine maintain a lot more possession but rarely got beyond the Newbridge ten-metre line.
Both sides missed long-range penalty attempts, as Coolmine tried to chase the game, running the ball at every opportunity.
The Newbridge tackling, however, was well up to the task and as the half wore on Coolmine were forced to play from deeper and deeper positions.
It was Newbridge who had the better try-scoring opportunities and had at least five promising chances that fell foul to wayward final passes.
Newbridge will now travel to second-placed Tullamore next Sunday with more confidence after putting their league campaign back on the right track.

Newbridge: Eddie Southern, Niall Duggan, Grant Wattleworth, Trevor Donnelly, Mick Byrne, Peadair Downey, Austin Cella, Rory McCann, Ryan Jones, Harry Murphy, Padraig Mahon, Ben Swindlehurst (capt), Sean Kelly, Dave Hogan, Karl Darragh. Subs: Ronan Skehan, Cillian O’Shea, Ian Burns, Neal Hogan, Gareth O’Reilly.