On the back of their victory over Dublin University in their last Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B fixture, Naas travelled to the Mardyke in Cork last Saturday afternoon to face another student side, UCC. There is a big contrast in styles between the two student sides. Whereas Dublin University like to play an open brand of rugby, the Cork team rely heavily on their pack, having scored five driving maul tries against Old Wesley in their previous fixture. Therefore Naas knew that they were in for a big battle up front here.

Despite a huge amount of rain in the preceding days in Cork, the pitch at the Mardyke was in remarkably good condition for this match, which was played out in front of a large attendance. The visitors drew first blood, scoring after just three minutes. Muiris Cleary scooped up a loose ball just outside the UCC 22 and charged forward, and when he was stopped the ball was quickly moved out to Charlie Sheridan for a fine score. Peter Osborne had the misfortune to see his conversion attempt rebound back off the post, but Naas led 5-0.

However the lead lasted only a matter of minutes. With five minutes gone, Naas were penalised for being in front of the kicker when clearing their lines, and the resulting penalty was dispatched to touch. Not surprisingly from the line-out UCC set up a driving maul, which Naas were powerless to stop and led by to Peter Hyland being awarded the try. Harry Murphy missed the conversion, leaving the sides level at five points each.

On nine minutes, Peter Osborne was narrowly off the mark with a penalty attempt after UCC were penalised for a deliberate knock on, but the visitors fell behind after 15 minutes. When the home side were awarded a penalty for a Naas side entrance at a ruck, they turned down a shot at the posts and went for touch. Again their driving maul could not be stopped by the visiting pack and Luke McAuliffe crashed over for the try. Harry Murphy was successful this time with his conversion attempt.

Within four minutes the home side extended their lead. Again they employed the driving maul, but this well Naas did extremely well and contained it. Referee Padraic Reidy made UCC use the ball, and the pass from scrum-half Andrew O’Mahony found centre David Cogan who had taken a great line, and he crashed over for another try. Harry Murphy kicked the conversion, and the same player landed a penalty after 25 minutes to make the score 22-5 in favour of UCC. Soon afterwards things got worse for the visitors as Will O’Brien received a yellow card, but to their credit they survived the next ten minutes without the concession of any further scores, and the score remained at 22-5 as the referee blew the whistle for half-time.

Naas needed to score first in the second half, and they did just that with a well worked line-out move after 47 minutes. A big scrum by their pack won a penalty which was kicked to touch. The line-out was thrown by Aidan O’Kane to Will O’Brien who had stationed himself at the front, and the latter quickly passed it back to O’Kane. The Naas hooker took off down the wing and with the UCC defence completely caught unawares, he managed to get in at the corner. Although the conversion was missed, Naas had reduced the lead to 22-10.

But UCC scored their fourth try – in the process securing a try bonus point – after 57 minutes. Again they employed their driving maul – but by now Naas had got to grips with this tactic. The maul was stopped short of the line, but the home side stayed patient and after a series of phases, Kamil Novak managed to force his way over the line. With Harry Murphy kicking the conversion to make it 29-10 in favour of UCC, there appeared to be little hope of Naas salvaging anything out of this game.

However Naas have gained a well deserved reputation for having a never say die attitude, and they again proved that here. They moved up the gears and by the full time whistle they had the home side hanging on for dear life. The comeback started after 67 minutes. Some quick handling by the backs created space out wide right for Donal Conroy. He showed great speed down the wing, he then drew in a would be tackler, before passing inside to the supporting Derry Lenehan who raced away to score under the posts. Then just three minutes later a series of big carries by the Naas pack put the home defence on the back foot, before the ball was moved out to the backs. Paddy Taylor made a half break, before passing to Jack Sheridan who was not to be stopped from close range. With Bryan Croke converting both tries, the margin was down to five points – 29-24.

UCC were rattled and struggled to contain the Naas surge in the closing minutes. They were forced to defend desperately and it appeared that it was only a matter of time before Naas got through again. But the clock was not in favour of Naas, they simply ran out of time and it was a mightily relieved UCC side when the referee blew the full-time whistle.

Although disappointed that they left Cork defeated, Naas can take the consolation of leaving there with two valuable points – try scoring and losing bonus points – which certainly did not look likely as the game entered the last quarter. These two points are certainly valuable for Naas and leaves them sitting in a comfortable mid-table position as the season enters its final stages. Next up for them is another away fixture – this time in Donnybrook against Old Wesley. That game is on March 1st with a 2.30pm kick-off, and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

UCC: Harry Murphy, Evan Clarke, Rory O’Shaughnessy, David Cogan, James Wixted, Darragh French, Andrew O’Mahony, Mike Cogan, Luke McAuliiffe, Daniel McCarthy, Sam O’Sullivan (capt), Conor Ryan, Nathaniel Sean Edogbo, Jason Aherne, Peter Hyland. Replacements: Rory Og Doody, Alex Hamilton, Kamil Novak, Cillian Toland, Jack Casey Jnr, Rian O’Donoghue.

Naas: Peter Osborne, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Jack Sheridan, Bryan Croke, Cormac King, Conor Doyle, Aidan O’Kane, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Eoin Walsh, Muiris Cleary, Will O’Brien (capt), Ryan Casey. Replacements: John King, Stephen Lackey, Cillian Dempsey, Darragh Murphy, Derry Lenehan, David O’Sullivan.

Referee: Padraig Reidy.