Match Report - David McKeown - Photos - Michael Linehan

Naas 36 New Ross 22 

A stirring second-half fightback saw Naas RFC claim all five points on offer in this pulsating Leinster League Division 2 match in Forenaughts on Sunday. 

New Ross exploited some leaky Naas defence to score the first try after 10 minutes, with a strong run through midfield. Relentless New Ross pressure was met with resolute scramble defence from the Naas women. Naas then started to put some good attacking play together and the game settled into a tense period of attack and counterattack.  

The powerful New Ross pack won a scrum penalty and kicked deep into Naas territory. However, the Naas forwards rose to the challenge and won the lineout. After three slick passes, Cliodhna O’Connor found herself in a little space and raced in from deep inside her own half to make the score 5 all after 23 minutes. The ever-reliable Amy Maguire added the conversion to give Naas a lead of 7 points to 5.  

Unfortunately, more missed tackles by Naas led to three more New Ross tries in quick succession, making the score 7 points to 22 at half time. 

The experienced Naas duo of Aisling Mahon and Sheen Hubbard came on after half time, and the whole Naas team lifted their performance in defence and attack. A strong scrum from the Naas pack allowed scrum-half Ciara Mckeown to apply some pressure on the New Ross out-half, forcing another error which allowed O’Connor to run in once more from her own half. Naas now trailed by 14 points to 22 after 10 minutes of the second half.  

The Naas backline now started to grow in confidence with a smooth move right then left, which stretched the tiring New Ross pack and allowed 18-year-old Katie Halpin to crash over on the wing to bring Naas within 3 points of the visitors. 

Maguire started to turn the screw with some intelligent kicking, chased by the industrious Jamie Garland, Aoife Furlong and Emily Mckeown, eventually leading to another score for Halpin. This put Naas ahead for the first time in game, with a scoreline of 26 to 22. 

The young Naas pack started to get the better of the experienced New Ross forwards, winning a scrum penalty. The Kildare women then consolidated their lead after a quick tap and a storming charge by Emma Tully, backed up by the busy Aoibheann O’Sullivan, who celebrated her birthday with a number of dominant runs. 

New Ross struggled to match the speed of Naas’ play, and after some excellent handling in midfield, winger Anna McGrath scored Naas’ fifth try in the corner. Naas now led 31 points to 22 with 10 minutes to play. 

The large Naas home crowd was then treated to a magnificent hook against the head and slick passing in the Naas back line to allow O’Connor to go over for her third try.  

New Ross battled hard in the last 7 minutes, but the Naas defence held firm to see out the game worthy winners 36 to 22. 

The Naas women will be delighted to have bounced back so convincingly after a disappointing loss to Clondalkin last week. They can now look forward to a week off before travelling to face league leaders Wicklow away on the fifth of November.