November 25, 20182:00 pm

Wexford Wanderers RFC vs Newbridge RFC – MATCH REPORT:

Newbridge lost their top spot in the Leinster League table when they were defeated by the Wexford side. There was great commitment shown by both sides in this open game and as the game wore on it was obvious that a single score in the end would decide it. Wexford scored 3 penalties and a try to Newbridgeโ€™s converted try. Newbridge will be reasonably happy to get a single League point from the match.

The Wexford trust had Newbridge on the back foot and they were forced to defend well on a number of occasions in the first half. An early injury to centre Graham Burns saw Billy Delaney substitute in the 9th minute. Wexford scored 2 penalties from in front of the posts on the 22 metre line in the 15th and 40 minutes. A yellow card for the Wexford No. 7 brought no great drive from Newbridge. Wexford had the best of the game in this half and should have been further ahead at the break than the 6 points.

In the second half Newbridge raised their game somewhat but it was the Wexford outhalf who pushed them further ahead with another close in penalty in the 43rd minute. Both sides made significant errors with several dropped balls which took from a good entertaining spectacle. The substitution of Mark Doyle in the 46th minute with team captain Ronan Mangan brought a new drive to Newbridge. Mark Delaney at scrum half went off injured in the 46th minute and fullback Conor Dolan was drafted in to half back. Following a good driving move from the Newbridge forward pack prop forward Tomas Munita latched onto the ball and drove over for a try in the 53rd minute. Outhalf Ronan Skehan converted from an acute angle. Denny Murphy replaced Ian Oโ€™Rahelly at hooker in the 61st minute. Newbridge suffered a strange refereeing decision when winger Robbie Browner latched onto a deft kick from wing forward Brendan Tiernan to score a good try. However, the referee then called back the play only to award Newbridge a scrum. In the final minute of injury time Wexford made a telling incision up the field to score a try.

Outstanding for Newbridge were prop Tomas Munita and Ronan Mangan at No. 8 while wingers Robbie Browner and Liam Donovan did well.ย  ย  ย 

Newbridge: Billy Gainey, Ian Oโ€™Rahelly, Tomas Munita, Oisin Howell, Rory McCann, Brendan Tiernan, Jeff Draper, Mark Doyle, Mark Delaney, Ronan Skehan, Robbie Browner, Graham Burns, Karl Darragh, Liam Donovan, Conor Dolan. Substitutes: Brendan Commane, Denny Murphy, Ronan Mangan, Billy Delaney, Denis Oโ€™Callaghan..

Newbridge are at home to Portlaoise on Sunday the 2nd December with kick off at 2.30 pm.