With Naas placed in ninth and Queen University one place below them in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B table, both sides knew that defeat when they met last Saturday in Forenaughts was unthinkable. A loss would see the trapdoor down to Division 2A open wide, while a win would give the victors a little breathing space. In the end, after a game that saw no less than 12 tries scored, it was Naas who secured the spoils in an emphatic manner.

Naas tore into their opponents straight from the kick-off and had the try scoring bonus point secured after only 28 minutes. They were in front within four minutes – from a line-out take by Oisin Halpin five yards from the Queens line, they moved the ball quickly across the back-line out to Derry Lenehan who ran in unopposed to score. However they were stunned within three minutes when the visitors got in a try. Naas were penalised for being offside and the penalty was dispatched to touch. From the line-out Queens set up a driving maul which Naas were unable to contain, and led to Henry Walker crashing over the try which Ethan Duncan converted.

But the home side then took over and stamped their class on the proceedings. After ten minutes a big carry by Paulie Tolofua drove the visitors defence backwards, and when he was stopped he offloaded to Charlie Sheridan. The latter still had a lot to do, but he showed great speed to round Reuben Allen for a fine try. After 16 minutes it was the turn of his brother Jack to get in on the scoring act. Some dazzling footwork by Tadgh Brophy left a series of Queens defenders trailing in his wake, and when he was eventually hauled down the forwards took over. They went through a series of phases before Paddy Taylor threw a long pass out to Sheridan on the left wing who finished in style. Then after 28 minutes great hands by Adam Deay, Tom Monaghan and Derry Lenehan created space out wide right for Donal Conroy who dived in at the corner. Paddy Taylor converted one of the four tries meaning that Naas had established a 22-7 lead.

The home side will be disappointed with the concession of a second Queens try after 34 minutes. When Tom Brigg received the ball in midfield some 40 yards out from the Naas tryline there seemed very little danger. However a series of missed tackles led to the No.8 scoring a try which Ethan Duncan converted. There was still time for a further two scores in the half. After 37 minutes Queens coughed up possession in midfield, Tom Monaghan put in a long kick which was not dealt with by Jordan McAuley and Donal Conroy was on hand to pounce on the loose ball to score. Although the conversion was missed by Paddy Taylor, Naas now led by 27-14. Then deep in first-half injury time, Queens were awarded a penalty in the Naas 22 which they elected to tap. There followed a series of phases by their forwards, before Henry Walker dived over from close range. The conversion by Ethan Duncan was successful leaving the score at the interval 27-21 in favour of Naas.

The scoring slowed down at the start of the second half and we had to wait until the 54th minute for the next one. Queens had started the period brightly, but some great Naas defence had kept them out, and they then extended their lead. A box kick by Tadgh Brophy looked sure to go into touch, but Paddy Taylor did brilliantly to fly kick it ahead and he then won the race for the touchdown for a superb score. The game was then ended as a contest after 62 minutes when Naas set up a driving maul, before Tadgh Dooley broke from the back of it, and he was not to be stopped from close range. With Paddy Taylor converting both tries, Naas were now 41-21 in front.

Queens responded with their fourth try of the afternoon after 79 minutes which secured them a try bonus scoring point, when James McKillop powered over from close range. Ethan Duncan slotted the conversion, but there was still time for Naas to score their eighth try of the afternoon in injury-time. Queens elected to run a ball from their own 22 but Muiris Cleary did brilliantly to intercept, the ball was quickly recycled and passed out to Eoin Walsh who brushed away an attempted tackle before scoring. The conversion was off target, immediately afterwards referee George Clancy blew the full-time whistle with Naas victorious on a scoreline of 46 points to 28.

A big win for the home side which was well deserved, and is a result which almost certainly condemns Queens to Division 2A rugby next season. For Naas the challenge for them is to avoid the relegation play-offs, and in order to do this four major games await them. The first of these is an away fixture next Saturday, March 7th, against Highfield. This game has a 2.30pm kick-off, and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Naas: Derry Lenehan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Tom Monaghan, Jack Sheridan, Paddy Taylor, Tadhg Brophy, Stephen Lackey, Brad Clements, Adam Deay, James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin, Darragh Murphy, Will O’Brien (capt), Paulie Tolofua. Replacements: Tadgh Dooley, John King, Eoin Walsh, Muiris Cleary, Cormac King, Tom Bohan.

Queens University: Jordan McAuley, Ryan Street, Fraser Cunningham, Jonny Scott, Reuben Allen, Ethan Duncan, Clark Logan, Chris Massey, Henry Walker, Jacob Boyd, Paddy Woods, Joe Hopes, James McKillop (capt), Will Cusack, Tom Brigg. Replacements: Henry Marcus, Jack Parkinson, Ben Moore, Patrick Donaghy, Adam Lowey, Eamonn Rogers.

Referee: George Clancy.