Leinster League – Division 2A

Newbridge 20   Wexford Wanderers 15

Played under lights and in ideal conditions, this match kept the supporters of both sides alert right until the end. The Wexford pack of forwards put Newbridge under pressure for long periods of the second half while Newbridge looked the more polished side when opening the play. Newbridge won by scoring three tries with one converted and a penalty to Wexford’s two tries with one converted and a penalty.

After only 6 minutes Newbridge winger Gavin Houlihan was off with injury to be replaced by Jordan Nolan-Mullaly. Newbridge exerted a lot of pressure on the opposition in this half and scored a good try in the corner through Jordan Nolan-Mullally in the 19^th minute. In the 25^th minute Wexford converted a penalty from the 22-metre line in front of the posts. Newbridge outhalf Donal Cashman was on target in the 33^rd minute from 30 metres out with a penalty.  Again, it was Jordan Nolan-Mullally who scored another try in the corner. However, against the run of play and following a loose ball on the halfway line it was Wexford who scored against the run of play to leave the half time score at 13 points to 10.

It was the Wexford pack that now got a grip from their back row, and they pressurised Newbridge for long periods of the half. Wexford were awarded a penalty in the 53^rd minute to level the game but their kicker was wide. The game was played very much in the Newbridge 22-meter area now. While Newbridge got their own ball, they insisted on running it to no avail. Wexford had pressure on their scrum but Newbridge through their captain Tom Treacy and Scott McMullan in the second row did well in the lineout. The Wexford scrum half Graham Barry kept Newbridge on the backfoot. In the centre Wexford’s Colm O’Corcra made some searing runs through the Newbridge defence. During this period Newbridge prop Cameron Stewart was outstanding as was their scrum half Kristian Standen who made good up field breaks. In the 61^st minute Wexford scored a try to go ahead for the first time in the match at 13 points to 15. Newbridge had to lift their game now and as they managed to clear the ball up field their backs came into their own again. In the 72^nd minute centre Billy Delaney took the ball and jinked his way from the halfway line to score under the posts. Standen converted. Now back in front Newbridge looked to clinch the game with a penalty 42 metres out from Standen but the ball hit the posts.

Referee Keith Standlove from Naas proved to be well on top of the game.

Newbridge: Brendan Commane, Alfie Thompson, Cameron Stewart, Jack Moore, Scott McMullan, Conor Spratt, Cameron English, Tom Treacy (Capt), Kristian Standen, Donal Cashman, Zach Meehan, Paul McDonald, Billy Delaney, Gavin Houlihan, Fergal Doyle, David Morgan, Victor Cotlau, Max McLoughlin, Kevin Commane, Jordan Nolan-Mullally.

Newbridge are away to Nort Kildare at the Mews, Kilcock on Sunday 16^th Nov at 3pm.

Leinster League – Division 2A – Seconds

Newbridge 24    Wexford Wanderers 31

A Wexford try in injury time, with scores level, saw them beat Newbridge. Newbridge are away to Nort Kildare at the Mews Kilcock on Sunday 16^th Nov at 1.30 pm.