12 November 2011
Leinster League, Division 1A
Monkstown 6 Newbridge 21
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IN a bruising physical encounter it was Newbridge who showed better finishing skills to keep their lead at the top of the league table.
Monkstown’s strength in their big pack was not unexpected and Newbridge had to defend for long periods before taking their chances.
The cutting edge was provided by winger Dave Hogan who scored the first try during Newbridge’s only foray into opposition territory in the first 30 minutes.
The pack pressure from Monkstown yielded two penalties either side of Hogan’s dot-down while a hastily executed drop goal attempt from the home side faded wide to leave it 6-5 at halftime
Niall Duggan again produced a dogged performance in the back-row while second row Rory McCann imposed himself after breaking back into the first XV despite asin-binning just before the break.
The second half initially saw Newbridge gain the upper hand with Ben Swindlehurst carving through the midfield off a set-piece.
The move finished close to the Monkstown line who were able to win possession at a subsequent scrum and clear the lines.
The Newbridge forwards had stood up to Monkstown onslaught and set about upping the pace and dishing out some revenge.
Prop Grant Wattleworth made his presence felt along with Mick Byrne, sprung from the bench.
A run-away rolling maul off a lineout forced a Monkstown transgression which Harry Murphy slotted home from 40-metres.
With the game slipping away Monkstown pack rallied towards the end of the third quarter and tried hard to break down the Newbridge defence.
In one series of phases Monkstown did well to hold possession but the Newbridge defence kept up a serious wall of pressure and the home were forced back from the 22 to their own 22-line.
A penalty gave Monkstown a platform in the corner but the sputtering Newbridge line-out clicked into gear and stole possession at the critical moment.
Substitute Karl Darragh went in at No.10 immediately injecting a change of pace and converted a penalty after Newbridge pack hit a Monkstown scrum like a wrecking-ball.
Five minutes later Darragh added his second penalty while Monkstown then missed a convertible chance in what was their last scoring opportunity.
The Dubliners were clinging on in the final minutes while Newbridge assailed the line.
Wattleworth and Darragh came close to crossing the line with McCann finishing the job, barging over from close range for a try converted by Darragh.
Next week Newbridge face a struggling Dundalk in Rosetown in what will be the halfway line in the league campaign.
Newbridge: Robbie Waters, Padraig Mahon, Sean Kelly, Ben Swindlehurst, Dave Hogan, Harry Murphy, Ryan Jones, Jonny Downey, Niall Duggan, Ronan Mangan Rory McCann, Ian Burns, Grant Wattleworth, Gareth O’Reilly, Brian Moore. Subs: Dan Jennings, Austin Sella, Mick Byrne, Karl Darragh.
