November 24, 20192:30 pm

North Kildare RFC vs Newbridge RFC – MATCH REPORT:

This was a game in which North Kildare dominated on the scoreline from the beginning. However, Newbridge never gave up and clawed their way back into the game at various stages, but their scoring power was hard to come by. North Kildare won by scoring 4 tries with 3 converted and 2 penalties to Newbridgeโ€™s 2 tries with 1 converted and 1 penalty.

Newbridge missed an early penalty, but it was North Kildare who scored in the corner in the 9th minute. Following a kick ahead in the 14th minute a very fortuitous and akward hop saw North Kildare score a converted try. Newbridge fullback Donal Cashman converted a Newbridge penalty from in front of the posts in the 24th minute. A North Kildare penalty moved them further ahead in the 32nd minute but a lot of Newbridge pressure in the closing stages of the first half brought a try from winger Stephen Cooke to leave it at 15 points to 8 at the break.

North Kildare went further ahead in the 51st minute with a converted try. Newbridge now rang the changes from the bench. Eimhin Conroy who had earlier played at scrum half got over for a good try when he was moved to the centre. Centre Karl Darragh converted. Only seven points down at this stage it was all to play for. North Kildare scored a penalty from in front of the posts in the 71st minute and effectively decided the match in the 73rd minute with a converted try near the posts. At 32 points to 15 Newbridge put in a huge finishing effort to no avail.

Best for Newbridge we centre Denis Clarke and Karl Darragh while team captain Jeff Draper at wing forward and Brendan Commane at prop did well.

Newbridge: Cameron English, Ian Oโ€™Rahelly, Brendan Commane, Scott McMullan, Keith Moran, Jeff Dreaper (Capt), Mark Doyle, Ronan Mangan, Eimhin Conroy, Ronan Skehan, Stephen Cooke, Karl Darragh, Denis Clarke, Billy Delaney, Donal Cashman. Subs: Will Jennings, Sebastian Berti, Nicholas Harrington, Fergal Doyle.

Newbridge are away to Coolmine on Sunday next 1st December at 2.30pm.