Newbridge RFC were the visitors to Mill Road on Saturday last. Despite the sunshine it was bitterly cold and this may have been responsible for some poor hands which cost us dearly over the course of the game. Newbridge were lying second in the Leinster League Table having been defeated only once and that was by a last minute kick in the game against Enniscorthy.
Dundalk’s injury problems continue and on Saturday we had to select from a panel which did not include Jonathan Williams and Afa Fa’atau, both of whom have featured strongly in previous matches.Some rejigging of the forces meant that we fielded the strongest possible fifteen with those who stepped up more than capable of challenging for permanent inclusion.
From the kick off Dundalk chased hard and the ball catcher was deemed to not have released the ball and Dundalk were awarded a penalty. Ultan Murphy, playing at out-half, opted to kick at goal but the strong breeze caught the ball which hit the upright and bounced back onto the field of play. A very alert Newbridge player caught the ball and cleared his lines to relieve the early Dundalk pressure. The breeze was to prove problematic all afternoon for both teams.
Dundalk went behind after ten minutes when an excellent Newbridge line-out on the home 22 was taken cleanly and moved at speed. Dundalk were defending bravely and forced the Newbridge team to work the ball through seven or eight phases before their hard running winger broke through the tackle to score right in the corner. The conversion was missed and so Newbridge led 5-0 after ten minutes.
Dundalk settled themselves and again brought the game to Newbridge. Greg Whately led the way making great ground after handing off his tackler at the side of a ruck. He gained twenty metres before being caught and held by the opposition full back. From the ensuing ruck quick hands by the support players freed winger Gerard Scully out wide and he dived over to register Dundalk’s first score. This left the game at 5-5 after twenty minutes as the conversion was missed, drifting just wide of the upright.
Newbridge had very strong runners and forced Dundalk to defend stoutly The Dundalk defensive set up was well tested and not found wanting keeping Newbridge from breaking through.The opposition out-half attempted a drop goal but his effort was well wide. A further Newbridge penalty from just outside the Dundalk 22 was taken by the wind and drifted wide of the upright. Dundalk had a number of opportunities to register scores but dropped passes, possibly from cold hands, meant that no further scores came in the first half.
Dundalk started the second half enthusiastically but over enthusiasm cost them and led to a penalty award to Newbridge on the home 22.The kick drifted wide. Another penalty, five minutes later was kicked more accurately and gave Newbridge an 8-5 lead with 48 minutes gone. The momentum was now with Newbridge and Dundalk were acutely aware of their need to hold their discipline. Again, from a well worked line-out inside the Dundalk 22, Newbridge showed quick hands, strong running forcing Dundalk to defend desperately. However a missed tackle allowed the Newbridge winger in for a try, which was unconverted, leaving the score 13-5 with fifteen minutes remaining.
This Newbridge score seemed to spark a renewed effort from the home fifteen. Greg Whately made another impressive break from his own ten metre line to the Newbridge 22 where he was eventually hauled down. The referee spotted a Newbridge player trying to slow down the ball in the ruck and Ultan Murphy sent the resultant penalty between the posts to bring the score to 13-8, narrowing the gap and giving his team great hope.
Dundalk rose to the challenge and were now playing the better rugby. Team Captain Thomas Campbell tapped and went from a free kick only to be tackled by the opposition number 6 who had not retreated the necessary ten metres. T.C. got the penalty and the number 6 got a ten minute break for his troubles. Ultan had another shot at goal from the half way line and this effort was more successful,sailing over to leave the score at 13-11 with eight minutes to go.
Dundalk piled on the pressure in their chase for further scores. They attacked and had Newbridge under all possible pressure. From a scrum Dundalk were awarded a penalty and kicked for the line. A great throw in from Jonathan Grey found Ciaran Sloan and Dundalk worked the the ball to the centre of the pitch. Driving towards the Newbridge line Dundalk were awarded a penalty on the opposition ten metre line for an off side offence. With only two minutes plus injury time to go Dundalk players and supporters endured the agony of seeing the kick drift millimetres wide of the upright.
The game finished Newbridge 13 Dundalk 11. So close!
Dundalk get a bonus point from this game but it could have been so much more. Dundalk are proving to be contenders in all their games in this League and with just a modicum of luck could have had more points on the board. Our next outing is at Lansdowne Road against Wanderers on the 17th Nov and we are looking forward to playing at this venue.
Man of the Match this week goes to Greg Whately whose strong running and breaks kept Dundalk in the game and created opportunities for all around him. He just pipped Jonathan Grey whose excellent line-out throwing made life very difficult for Newbridge. Well done all, onwards and upwards
Team:U.Murphy,R.Shields,R.Williams,S.Murphy,E.Fa’atau,G.Scully,T.Campbell, R.Farrell,J.Grey,R.Smyth, D.Sloan, C.Sloan, C.Beattie,S.Martin,G.Whately, L.Steen, C.Brannigan,O.Mc Nally,R.O’Hagan.
