Bank Of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup - Second Round -Naas 40 - Newbridge 13 – Sun 26th Feb 2023

Photos thanks to Michael Linehan and Martin Rowe

Naas marched comfortably into the quarter-finals of the Bank Of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup, with a resounding home victory over Newbridge last Sunday afternoon.

The home side dominated the early exchanges and were rewarded with a try after eight minutes. After winning a line-out ten metres out, they set up a driving maul which crashed over the line, with Reuben Lyons being awarded the try. Matt Stapleton missed the conversion, but Naas led 5-0.

However they were rocked back on their heels when Newbridge replied with a try of their own after 14 minutes. The Newbridge pack did well to drive Naas off a five-yard scrum, leading to Tom Treacy getting in from close range. Robbie Waters converted to give the visitors a 7-5 lead.

But the lead only lasted three minutes as the Newbridge backs were caught offside and from 30 yards out Matt Stapleton was successful with the resulting penalty.

Naas increased their advantage after 30 minutes when a brilliant individual break by Derry Lenehan, led to him scoring a superb try, which Matt Stapleton converted, and the latter also landed a penalty after 35 minutes to make it 18-7 in favour of Naas.

The visitors did get the final score of the half though as Robbie Waters kicked a penalty awarded for a high tackle, to leave the score 18-10 to Naas at the interval.

Four minutes after the resumption Waters was again on target with a Newbridge penalty, but a mistake on their part cost them dearly after 52 minutes. Their No.9 Kristian Standen knocked on at the base of a ruck giving Naas a scrum. From this they moved the ball into midfield and Jack Sheridan showed great strength to hold off his tackler to score. The conversion by Matt Stapleton was on target and Naas were now in front by 25-13.

This remained the score until the last ten minutes when Naas completely took over. Matt Stapleton slotted a penalty after 71 minutes, and this preceded tries by Jack Sheridan and Colm Stapleton. With Matt Stapleton converting one of them this led to a final scoreline of 40-13, with Naas safely through to the next round.

Naas: David O'Sullivan, James Farrell, Jack Sheridan, Kaelan Burke, Colm Stapleton, Matt Stapleton, Derry Lenehan, Jack Coyle, Tadgh Dooley, Stephen Lackey, Reuben Lyons, Lorcan Murphy, Jack Rogers, Muiris Cleary, Cillian Dempsey. Replacements: Paul Carroll, Jim Downey, Richard Drumcoole-Maguire, Brian Heveran, Josh Murphy.

Newbridge: Donal Cashman, Gavin Houlihan, Kevin Commane, Karl Darragh, Stephen Cooke, Robbie Waters, Kristian Standen, Brendan Commane, Alfie Thompson, Dan Jennings, Cameron English, Jack Moore, Patrick Corbett, Scott McMullan, Tom Treacy. Replacements: Cameron Stewart, Victor Cotlau, Pierce Dargan, Dinny Clarke, Michael Ugochukwu.