Armagh were still reeling from their narrow defeat at the hands of Barnhall last Saturday. Naas whilst lying second in the Ulster Bank League promised to be tight opposition. The Leinster side were, apparently, able to field two Samoan international players in the no. 8 & no. 13 positions.
At the kick-off the conditions were cold at 2 degrees, dry and a complete absence of wind. All was set for both sides to play open rugby. Directly from the kick-off the visitors were penalized for entering a ruck from the side. Johnny Steenson’s kick fell just short of the crossbar. The next ten minutes saw Armagh launch attack after attack on the Naas line but the visiting defence held firm. The pressure was eased when a kick ahead from Steenson went out of play to give Naas a 22 drop out. This enabled the visitors to take play into the Armagh half and a deft scissors movement let thee Naas centre, Daragh O’Shea, score under the Armagh posts. The simplest of conversions put Naas 0-7 ahead after only 9 minutes play. All did not bode well for Armagh!
Not to be outdone Armagh responded with a try from right winger, Josh Morton, rounding his opposite number with consummate ease to score at the posts. Again the simplest of conversions levelled the score at 7-7.
As has been the case for most of game this season. The Armagh pack were giving a serious weight and height advantage to the Naas forwards. This, however, did nit deter them from dominating the scrum & lineout set pieces. The second row advantage was illustrated when James Morton ‘bulled’ his was across the Naas line trailing the Samoan forward with him as he touched down. Again the conversion from Man of the Match, Reaney, was on target to put Armagh 14-7 ahead. The half ended with the Naas kicking a penalty to put the score at 14-10 at the break. The game was in the balance at this stage with both teams displaying a desire to play open, handling rugby.
Shortly after the restart Naas were penalized for failing to roll away from a tackle. This and a further penalty opened out the score to 20-10. Naas replied wit a penalty to put the score to 20-13.
Armagh now proceeded to take control of the game. Prop forward, Phillip Fletcher, burst through a ruck to gain a full fifteen metres. Unfortunately, he was too fast for the support and found himself isolated, but this was indicative of the enterprising game the Armagh side were keen to play.
The Armagh supporters held their breaths when James Morton went down, injured. Indeed, he was forced to leave the field with a back injury, his position being ably taken by David Martin. The strength of the Morton constitution was illustrated when, ten minutes later, James returned to the field! By this stage of the game Armagh were in total domination but a further penalty from the Naas full-back, David Ahern, put the visitors inside the losing bonus point margin. To add to Naas’s troubles they were caught off-side and a final Reaney penalty deprived them of the bonus point! The game finished with Armagh’s left winger running most of the pitch to score a fine try. Armagh didn’t take time to take a place kick but Richard Reaney’s drop kick attempt at the conversion went wide of the mark. Armagh’s intentions were clear. They were heading for a fourth try and stamp their claim on a bonus point. Unfortunately the referee blew the final whistle so they had to be content with only four league points!
This win displayed the team’s unique desire to win and, indeed, their abundance of skill which will, no doubt, win them more games before the season’s end.
Next Saturday sees the Armagh side travel deep into Munster to play Limerick side, Thomond. This side, while lingering in the lower league position are reputed to be a very sound team, much stronger than the lowly league position merits.
