Leinster League

Division 1A

Newbridge 8
Dundalk 9

 

NEWBRIDGE’s battle for league safety continued this week with a vital bonus point against second-placed Dundalk.

The home side, however, will feel they left behind a chance for victory that would have put them clear of the relegation play-off danger zone.

 

The first quarter was played at a high tempo by both sides, oblivious to the treacherous conditions and with Newbridge facing into the elements.

Both packs battled hard for supremacy with the home team’s back row of Jonny Donwey, Rory McCann and John Southern putting in the heavy hits.

The gale made it difficult for both hookers at the lineout but McCann and Colin O’Brien did well in the air.

Downey led one break that was the closest Newbridge came to threatening the Dundalk line in the first 30 minutes as they absorbed the pressure.

Dundalk missed one penalty chance before kicking over two in a row to make it 6-0 with just four minutes to halftime.

 

From the kick-off Newbridge won the scrum where props Mark Southern and Cillian O’Shea were in control and twice won penalties.

From one penalty Newbridge went into the corner, won the lineout and off the second phase drive John Southern touched down for a score.

After the restart Dundalk were almost through only for Southern’s scramble tackle to deny the visitors what should have been a try.

 

The rest of the game was played between the two 22s with Newbridge keeping Dundalk pinned into their own half.

 

Injuries forced a change in the Newbridge half backs with winger Dave Hogan replacing Peter Sutton at scrum half and Ben Swindlehurst moving to 10 to relieve Sean Kelly.

Dundalk, however, fought a hard defensive battle and it took until the start of the final quarter for Newbridge to register a score with Ben Swindlehusrt slotting over a penalty for an 8-6 lead.

 

Dundalk however, went right back, winning the re-start and with ten minutes to go put over what would be the winning penalty.

Despite some good line breaks by full back Karl Darragh, hooker Niall Duggan and scrum half Dave Hogan, Newbridge couldn’t manufacture a score that would have surely sealed a vital victory.

Newbridge: Karl Darragh, Neal Hogan, Massey Tuhakaraina, Ben Swindlehurst, Dave Hogan, Sean Kelly, Peter Sutton, Jonny Downey, John Southern, Terry Donnelly, Colin O’Brien, Mark Southern, Niall Duggan, Cillian O’Shea. Subs used: Ben Braithwaite, Denis O’Callaghan, Ronan Mangan, Eddie Southern.