December 8, 20192:00 pm

Newbridge RFC vs Balbriggan RFC – MATCH REPORT:

What turned out to be very wintry conditions together with a very strong wind, Newbridge were very disjointed and tactically poor throughout the game. They had earlier beaten the opposition in Balbriggan but were very weak in their application of movement on Sunday. Balbriggan won with 3 converted tries and a penalty.

Playing into the strong gale in the first half it was expected that Newbridge would keep the game tight. In the 10th minute Balbriggan went ahead from a penalty in front of the posts. This was followed with a poor drop off from the halfway by the Newbridge outhalf. From the scrum the Balbriggan centre raced over near the posts after a missed tackle. The try was converted. Another try followed in the 21st minute as the Newbridge back row failed to close down the Balbriggan attack and another crucial tackle was missed as Balbriggan charged through for a try. Newbridge made a few key changes just before half time but turned over at half time at 0 points to 15.

Playing with the wind we were expecting the Newbridge half backs to kick Balbriggan into the corner. This did not happen. Outhalf Ronan Skehan was yellow carded and this changed the pattern of the game. When he returned a yellow card for a Balbriggan centre followed but made little difference to the game. Cameron English came on and was prominent in the increasingly wet conditions. The wet ball made it very difficult to handle. However, Newbridge did not learn, and the poor tactics were summed up in the 72nd minute after a good period on Newbridge pressure. A penalty was awarded 30 metres out and with the gale blowing into the corner Newbridge decided to run the ball. The ball was turned over and in the follow up it was Balbriggan who scored a converted try.

Best for Newbridge were Cameron English and Ronan Mangan in the forwards while Denis Clarke and Billy Delaney were full of commitment.

Newbridge: Patrick Commane, Will Jennings, Brendan Commane, Scott McMullan, Keith Moran, Ian Oโ€™Rahelly, Jeff Dreaper (Capt), Ronan Mangan, Kevin Commane, Sebastian Berti, Stephen Cooke, Denis Clarke, Graham Burns, Billy Delaney, Eimhin Conroy. Subs: Cameron English, Mark Doyle, Ronan Skehan, Johne Murphy, Donal Cashman.

Newbridge are at home to Portlaoise in Rosetown on Sunday12th January 2020 at 2.30pm.

Newbridge seconds are at home to Portlaoise in Rosetown on Sunday12th January 2020 at 1.00pm.