First XV V. Navan Match Report
AIL 2A Round 6 vs Navan, Stradbrook 12/11/22
OH MY GOD
“Oh My God” wasn’t just the story of the lunch, it was the story of the entire match.
Anyone who is lucky enough to have the Navan President, Ray Hannon, in their club house is in for a treat.
He’s a credit to Navan RFC and a treat for all those who ‘rock’ up at midday, (pun intended), to Pre Match lunches.
Traffic issues held up our visitors on the way to Stradbrook, however there was no holding them up as soon as the match started.
They raced to a TRY bonus point with four Tries scored before half time and went into the reak with a lead of 20 points.
Four unconverted Tries, it must be said, which would eventually lead to their undoing.
HT
Rock 0 : 20 Navan
The second half started the way of the first with Navan scoring their fifth TRY five minutes after the break.
Once again the attempt to add the extra points slid past the outside of the posts.
45’
0 : 25
A few changes by the Rock coaches at half time and lots of ‘encouragement’ by the home support, eventually saw our boys get into the match.
From the kick off after the Navan Try, we regathered and after some quick hands, Ross Barron went in to score near the posts.
Kicker Quirke added the extra two points and we were on the board.
48’
7 : 25
Just four minutes later, Barron picked the ball out of a ruck just outside their 22.
He dummied and slipped away to go in again for his second TRY of the afternoon.
Kicker added the two points with a great kick.
52’
14 : 25
Another four minutes went by and we were awarded a penalty at the half way line.
We kicked for the corner and Mattie Cosgrove scored from the resultant line out.
Kicker added the extras and the deficit was down to four points with over twenty minutes remaining.
56’
21 : 25
A Rock line out on their 22 at the press box side, saw us move the ball along the back line towards the dug out side of the ground.
The forwards then drove us on and after several phases of play in the middle of the park, the ball came back left again.
Full back Brian ‘Cokes’ Colclough took possession just inside the touch line and with a magnificent solo effort he swallow dived in to score in the corner.
A difficult conversion attempt just missed, however we led for the first time in the game.
72’
26 : 25
The remaining minutes were mostly played in the Navan half.
Our boys showed great discipline and composure to retain possession until time was up.
FT
Rock 26 : 25 Navan
The Carl Gross Menswear MOTM as voted by the panel was two Try hero, Ross Barron.
For all your menswear needs see: carlgrossdublin.ie
Next week is a rest week in the mens AIL.
We’re back on November 26th with an away trip to UL Bohemian RFC.
