Leinster League Division 2

Newbridge 15 Balbriggan 5

Newbirdge and Balbriggan played out a rescheduled Leinster League game in very wet and windy conditions in Rosetown. Newbridge won by scoring three tries to Balbriggans one try.

Newbridge played into a very strong wind in the first half and dominated possession in the opening minutes. Winger Zack Meehan touched down after 10 minutes following a mazy run on which he beat multiple defenders. However, the referee had adjudged that he had knocked the ball on when touching down and disallowed what looked like a perfectly good try. Newbridge spent large periods camped in the Balbriggan 22 but were unable to convert. On the 16-minute mark, Balbriggan had a player sin-binned for a high tackle. Shortly afterwards, when Newbirdge were again looking to break down a resolute defence, the ball was slapped down by the Balbriggan 8 and kicked ahead, but the play was allowed to continue, and the Balbriggan full-back kicked the ball on and collected to score a try against the run of play.

Following the restart, Newbridge began to build phases and another yellow card for Balbriggan reduced them to 13 for a brief period but Newbridge could not find a way over the line. Just on the stroke of half time, Newbridge prop Dave Morgan received a straight red card for retaliation from a Balbriggan punch.

Newbridge started the second half well by playing a more controlled game with a strong wind at their backs. Following some good play, Robbie Waters sent Zach Meehan away to score in the corner to level the game. Then, good carries from Will Jennings and Cameron English created an overlap out wide to put David Mullins in for a score in the opposite corner to put Newbridge in front. Newbridge pressed ahead their dominance at this point by scoring in the same corner with a lovely finish from Fergal Doyle shortly afterwards. Following this, Newbridge pushed hard for the bonus point try but failed to take a hold of the game.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, Newbridge captain Jeff Draper received a yellow card to leave Newbridge to finish out the game with 13 players. Newbridge defended well and kept Balbriggan at bay to secure a difficult home win.

Best for Newbridge were Cameron English who carried well for the full eighty minutes and Zack Meehan who was unlucky to score only one try. Newbridge now sit 4th in the league and next up is Portlaoise away next Sunday.

Newbridge – Dave Morgan, Will Jennings, Brendan Commane, Scott McMullan, Cameron English, Alfie Thompson, Jeff Draper (Capt), Dinny Clarke, Mark Delaney, Robbie Waters, Zack Meehan, Oliver Feagin, Kevin Commane, Willie Ryan, Fergal Doyle, Alex Mateus, Brendan Tiernan, Adam Bingham, David Draper, David Mullins