Newbridge RFC 25 vs 14 North Kildare RFC – MATCH REPORT:

Yellow weather warning and small craft warning could have been a factor today as the rain never stopped pouring down on today’s Leinster League games. This was the first League match of the new season and Newbridge came out on top in all phases. Newbridge won scoring 3 tries, 2 penalties and 2 conversions to North Kildare’s 2 converted tries.

From a poor season last year Newbridge wanted to get off to a good start in this League. From the first minute they pressurised North Kildare and prop Cameron English got over for a try in the 7th minute. It was converted by outhalf Robbie Waters. Not to be outdone the North Kildare side came into the match in the 20th minute with a good try under the posts from centre Paddy Casey which was converted by outhalf Joe Jerry. Robbie Waters added a penalty in the 39th minute to leave it at 10 points to 7 at the break.

Newbridge were quick off the mark from the restart and Waters was again on target with a penalty in the 52nd minute. With the wet and cold weather making life difficult for the players many changes were made by both sides. In the 64th minute Newbridge scrum half Mark Delaney was red carded by the referee following a high tackle. Prior to that Newbridge’s star forward and No. 8 Tom Treacy was injured and was replaced. A lot of North Kildare pressure close to the Newbridge line was well resisted as the tackling by the Rosetown forwards throughout was first class. Following a break up-field Savenaca Tuimatanisaqa in the second row crossed for a good try for Newbridge in the 72nd minute. Waters converted. With a player yellow carded the Newbridge 13 men saw Karl Darragh get his hands on the ball in his own 22 metre line and broke free. North Kildare scrambled the ball into touch and a quick throw in saw winger Paidi Davies cross for a try in the 77th minute. In the final few minutes North Kildare forward pressure brought a try from second row Luke Dempsey converted by Joe Jerry.

Best for Newbridge were Brendan Commane at prop and Tom Treacy at No. 8. In the backs Outhalf Robbie Waters was very solid as was Denis Clarke.

Newbridge are away to Portlaoise on Sunday next.

Newbridge: Cameron English, Ian O’Rahelly, Brendan Commane, Savenaca Tuimatanisaqa, Scott McMullan, Adam Bingham, Jeff Draper (Capt), Tom Treacy, Mark Delaney, Robbie Waters, Stephen Cooke, Billy Delaney, Eimhin Conroy, Paidi Davies, Zach Meehan. Reserves: Paddy Commane, Will Jennings, Denis Clarke, Gregor Gourley, Karl Darragh.

Referee: Jason Le Lievre Clane.