3 December 2011
Leinster League, Division 1A
Newbridge 28 Garda 29
AN ambitious last roll of the dice and an injury time conversion left Newbridge on the wrong side of a one-point margin.Garda came to Rosetown with low expectations, but quickly filled the space left by a languid Newbridge to grab their one and only bonus point win of their League campaign.
It is the second time that Newbridge have failed to dominate a bottom of the table team, eroding their lead at the top.
Newbridge stay top of Division 1A thanks to Tullamore’s defeat of Skerries with just four points now between the top four teams.
The home side started well with prop Eddie Southern playing a key role in the pack’s command over the scrum. Karl Darragh kicked two penalties, forced through the set-piece, and Newbridge looked comfortably in control. But Garda showed they had a sting in attack and struck back with a score out wide from quickly moved ball in an impressive phase of play.
Upping the tempo, Newbridge showed flashes on their early season form with Ben Swindlehurst cutting through the midfield and wingers Dave Hogan and Padraig Mahon threatening from deep.
However, the Garda scramble defence and a Newbridge tendency to fumble the last pass kept the visitors in the game Darragh added a third penalty as reward for the Newbridge endeavour. The good work was in a vain when Garda exploited a defensive mix-up for a second try which was converted for a 12-9 lead.
From the kick-off things went from bad to worse as a loose Newbridge kick was the springboard for another Garda attack ending with a penalty and the sin-bin for Swindlehurst.
In the second half Newbridge came out fired up with Gareth O’Reilly and Ronan Mangan making hard yards. Niall Duggan touched down as the pack pushed over for a try. While both linesmen signalled the conversion, the referee over-ruled the score converted by Darragh to leave it 15-14. Going into the final quarter Hogan put his team in the lead when he followed up his own kick, blocked down the attempted return to gather and score under the posts for a simple conversion.
But Garda broke out again, retaining possession well for the winger to score in the corner to make it 22-21 with ten minutes to go. Jonny Downey off the bench made his presence felt as the Newbridge pack turned on the pressure, again forced a penalty and another sin-bin for the Garda.
Swindelhurst struck for an excellent finish after the pack’s hard work, converted by Darragh, to put Newbridge 28-21 ahead going into injury time.
Newbridge had possession but a penalty gave Garda a platform in the corner. The lineout throw went crooked and Newbridge were awarded the scrum. They only needed to win possession and to kick the ball dead but instead an attempt to go wide ended in disaster as it was fumbled and a penalty given away.Garda sensed their chance, went for the line to score and then added the match-winning conversion.
Newbridge: Grant Wattleworth, Gareth O’Reilly, Eddie Southern, Terry Donnelly, Rory McCann, Brian Furey, Niall Duggan, Ronan Mangan, Robbie Waters, Sean Kelly, Padraig Mahon, Ben Swindlehurst (capt), Harry Murphy, Dave Hogan, Karl Darragh. Subs Cillian O’Shea, Jonny Downey , Austin Sella, Peadar Downey, Ryan Jones.
