Rugby – 1st XV lose at Navan in All Ireland League
1st XV lose at Navan 14-27 in All Ireland League on sat 6th October
CLICK HERE for Action Shots from the IV XV v Portadown
The lead up to this game was anything but simple.
By end of training on thursday night, 3 of last weeks starting backline were out of contention due to unavailability or injury. This meant a brand new centre partnership of Simon Derby and Adam McCarthy was forced into the limelight.
On saturday itself the players coach was delayed by over an hour due to a serious car accident on the A1 at Banbridge. We hope the accident was not too serious. Eventually we arrived at Navan, an hour late and with agreement the kick took place at 3pm.
Straight from the kick off Instonians were penalised at the ruck, Navans 2nd row Dave Sheriden stepped forward and narrowly missed, a let off!!
Both teams then showed their willingness to move the ball, Robbie Kirk made a good break midfield but only for Josh Cregan to have the ball ripped and a Navan counter attack unfold. This was the pattern throughout the day for either side, many attacks resulting in a turnover or the attacking being penalised when the defending team put pressure at the ruck.
The first score came on 15 minutes. Instonians had a lineout in the Navan 22, great catch and maul. When the ball was released Greg Mullany made a midfield break to then find winger Johnny Martin on an angled run to score at the posts. Greg to convert. (7-0).
Navan turn to attack and after many phases their huge New Zealand loose head prop broke the defence and charged into our 22. Robbie Kirk wrestled him to the ground but the ref adjudged the tackle to be high and penalty to Navan with Robbie yellow carded. This time Navans Dave Sheriden slotted the kick. (7-3)
Navan with the man advantage dominated possession and eventually scored again, returning an Instonians clearenace kick they attacked down the blindside and when they moved back to the midfield their no 8 Lee Jackspon broke through to score at the posts. Conversion made.(7-10)
Instonians turn to have the ball and a promising attack failed when Johnny Martin edged in front of the cross field kick.
Half time: Instonians 7 Navan 10
The 2nd half started badly when Gregs restart did not make 10.
Shortly after Navan had an attacking lineout, Instonians were under pressure and eventually Navan winger Simon Hogan came on a good line to score. Kick made. (7-15)
Navan continued to attack and from another line out, they mauled well and then simple hands found the extra man out wide. Winger Simon Hogan scoring in the corner. Kick missed. (7-22)
Time for fresh legs and the Instonains bench was emptied: Conor Gallagher at hooker, James McGarrity at prop, Jamie Lusk at 2nd row, Rory Sheard in the backrow and Matthew McGuigan at fullback.
The changes brought a tempo back to the Instonians game and we started to move the ball well and ask questions of Navan.
One such attack only came to an end when Jamie Lusk ran into a bone crushing tackle, he didn’t feel a thing he said!!
But eventually the pressure told, from an attacking line out, good maul followed to allow Matthew Keane to snipe round the corner and touch down. Greg converted. (14-22)
With 15 minutes left the game was back on, Instonians were fighting for a losing bonus point and Navan for their fourth try, their win and own bonus point.
The game became scrappy with each side counter attacking between the two 22s.
But from one such attack it was the Instonains defence which yielded the final score of the game.
Eventaully it was Navans winger Simon Hogan who got his second try of the day, Navans fouth and their winning bonus point.
A good game between two closely matched sides.
Navan will be a hard prospect at home.
But this Instonians side have plenty to improve on.
A thanks to the ref and his supporting officials for the way the match was controlled
Navan as normal play a hard but fair game and their off field hospitality is second to none.
For Instonians there is a two week break from the All Ireland League.
This week the 1st and 2nd XV travel to play Rainey in the Ulster League, head coach Wilber Leacock’s hometown to add even extra spice to the occassion.
The following week we are on the road again, this time to play Ballymena in the quarter final of the senior cup.
Your continued support means a huge anount to the squad.
Team 1 to 15: Josh Cregan (James McGarrity). Michael Mairs (Conor Gallagher), Richard Fanin, James McCullough, Kenny Morton (Jamie Lusk), Paddy Bell (Capt), Mark Jones (Rory Sheard), Andy McKeen, Nico Andress (Matthew Keane), Greg Mullany, Johnny Martin, Simon Derby, Adam McCarthy, Matthew Keane (Matthew Mcguigan), Robbie Kirk
4th XV win at Limavady 2s 36-26
It would be fair to say this one did not start well, losing a prop before we even set off meant we would have to concede the points.
This was further compounded by the other prop getting horribly lost and missing the match completely.
It was, therefore, in confusion that we exited the rabbit warren of Limavady’s clubhouse and started the match a man down with very little time to prepare.
Despite this, there were promising early signs with the forwards equal to the Limavady pack and the backs finding gaps in their defence. It was not long before we had scored our first try from a sweeping backs move and good continuity by the forwards.
One missed tackle got them back into the game and we were unlucky to suffer a yellow card for an infringement near the line.
With 13 men on the pitch Limavady piled on the points and it looked like being a long day.
Restored to 15 with the arrival of Ben Hastings we were more than 15 points adrift with 10 minutes remaining.
The team refused to lose and exceptional breaks from within our 22 by the backs, particularly by Peter Magee, cut through the tired Limavady defence. (Special mention must go to the back row and their excellent handling skills in the loose).
With 2 minutes left we had a seven point lead and were again on the receiving end of another unfortunate yellow, but the boys weathered everything Limavady had to throw at them to secure a great win.
