29 October 2011
Leinster League, Division 1A
Newbridge 18 Tullamore 14
A HUNGRY Tullamore pack came to Rosetown determined to get their league campaign back on track and succeeded in ending Newbridge’s unbeaten streak.
Tullamore opted to play it hard but safe, kicking for territory in a game plan aided by the misfiring Newbridge lineout.
The Cup competition specialists delivered a traditional Munster-style performance, aiming for the corners and relying on their solid defence.
Harry Murphy opened the scoring with his second penalty attempt but from the kick-off Newbridge went offside and Tullamore were immediately back on even terms after eight minutes.
Tullamore then came close after their No10 found a gap through the middle and it took some scramble defence to keep the visitors out.
A loose ball was booted down the pitch but Tullamore then garnered another penalty which went over for a 6-3.
Another off-side infringement gave the visitors a third penalty for a 9-3 lead as Newbridge seemed less able to handle the wet conditions.
But then it was the turn of Tullamore to play themselves into trouble with a poor clearance kick giving Newbridge the platform for attack.
The forwards took it close to the line with Brian Moore and Gareth O’Reilly making some hard yards.
On the fifth phase winger Dave Hogan ran an incisive line and did well to hold onto a pass from Murphy to score close to the posts.
Murphy’s conversion gave Newbridge a 10-9 lead going into the second quarter that gave the Rosetown faithful hope that normal service had been resumed.
Tullamore finished the half on a high twice putting a penalty into the corner and driving over from the lineout on the second attempt.
The visitors kept the pressure on after the break, but missed two kickable penalties.
It took almost 20 minutes before Newbridge were able to get into Tullamore territory and following some good phases of play Murphy converted his second penalty to make it 14-13.
Newbridge upped their game for a period and Hogan touched down in the corner after collecting a grubber kick from Ben Swindlehurst, but the referee was unsighted and no score was given.
The two combined again from deep to set up a platform close to the Tullamore line where winger Padraig Mahon finished off following good work by the Newbridge pack.
With less than five minutes play Newbridge struggled to close out the game and defending their 18-14 lead.
In a patient build-up Tullamore attacked the Newbridge line and eventually created the defensive break down for the full-back to run in untouched to make the final score 19-18.
Newbridge: Grant Wattleworth, Gareth O’Reilly, Brian Moore, Terry Donnelly, Brian Furey, Mick Byrne, Niall Duggan, Ronan Mangan, Ryan Jones, Harry Murphy, Padraig Mahon, Ben Swindlehurst, Sean Kelly, Dave Hogan, Robbie Waters. Subs: Cillian O’Shea, Peadair Downey, Karl Darragh, Ken Bracken, Brendan Tiernan.
