19 November 2011
Leinster League, Division 1A
Newbridge 16 Dundalk 16
THE tight nature of Division 1A rugby was on show in this clash between the teams from the top and bottom of the league table.
Dundalk played with a verve and passion that belied their lowly status, but in the end Newbridge only had themselves to blame for sharing out the spoils in a drawn game.
With Skerries hitting a purple patch in the league campaign while Newbridge have laboured, they have narrowed the gap at the top of the table, from a comfortable eight points to a nervous single point.
In December, Newbridge play host to Garda and then travel to Skerries in two games that could go a long way in deciding where the honours will go at season’s end.
Against Dundalk at Rosetown, both teams tried hard in the first quarter but failed to register any scores as Rory McCann made a nuisance of himself in the loose.
There was heroics in the back row from Ronan Mangan, Niall Duggan and Mick Byrne as Dundalk sought to batter their way into the match.
Newbridge had one chance to score but a knock on let Dundalk off the hook although the visitor’s midfield defence had to work hard to keep a lid on Ben Swindlehurst and Sean Kelly in the centre.
Early on Harry Murphy had once chance with a penalty kick, but pushed the ball wide.
Just at the start of the second quarter Dundalk won a platform close to the Newbridge line and although the home team won the ball it was turned over.
After a series of phases Dundalk were eventually able to work the overlap and add a conversion for 7-0.
More Newbridge pressure, with winger Padraig Mahon adding a penetrating break, saw Murphy miss a second chance of putting some points on the board.
At the other end Dundalk extended their lead with a penalty just before halftime for a 10-0 lead at the break.
The half time team talk was audible from the sideline and Newbridge took it to heart, taking just 13 minutes of the second half to overturn the deficit and go into the lead.
Karl Darragh immediately slotted home a penalty and then No.8 Ronan Mangan cut through as Newbridge increased the tempo.
The pack piled on the pressure and a patient build-up saw Brian Moore score the try from close.
Karl Darragh added a conversion and then minutes later a second penalty after McCann’s quick-tap penalty forced an error from Dundalk.
Now in front, Newbridge sought to turn the screw and Darragh kicked his third penalty for 16-10 lead with 20 minutes left to play.
Dundalk tried every trick in the book to slow the game down and a frustrated Newbridge pack played into their game plan giving away penalties.
A fine long range kick left the visitors just three points adrift and suddenly they sensed a possible upset was on the cards.
A series of injury stoppages came as Dundalk kept Newbridge pinned in their own 22 with scrum half Ryan Jones making a break to temporarily relieve the pressure.
When a penalty came in Newbridge favour it should have been the signal to close out the game and take the hard earned win.
Deep in injury time Newbridge instead went for the jugular but as they attacked, an intercept and then a penalty put Dundalk right back on the Newbridge line.
Newbridge held on in defence but an offside call gifted Dundalk in front of the posts which they opted to take to secure a valuable draw away from home.
Newbridge: Grant Wattleworth, Gareth O'Reilly, Brian Moore, Ian Burns, Rory McCann, Mick Byrne, Niall Duggan, Ronan Mangan, Ryan Jones, Harry Murphy, Padraig Mahon, Ben Swindlehurst (capt), Sean Kelly, Dave Hogan, Karl Darragh. Subs: Dan Jennings, Austin Sella, Terry Donnelly, Denis O'Callaghan, Robbie Waters.
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