Roberts chasing another medal

RYAN Roberts is only in his second season with Navan and already he has a Provincial Towns' Cup medal to his name. Now the Navan out-half wants to add another to his collection.

The Kiwi made a big contribution to Navan's victory over Tullamore on Sunday with four penalties, a conversion and a drop goal.

Three of his penalties were high quality punts at the posts with his last lofted over from just a few metres inside the Tullamore half with 16 minutes remaining. He hit the ball on the meat and watched as it swivelled slightly before arrowing its way between the posts. The score was worth considerably more than three points as it helped lift the siege.

Roberts knows that any placekicker requires confidence and the willingness to work hard on the training pitch to get his technique right. Some days it works, some days it doesn't. Sunday was one of the good days.

"Over here in Ireland a lot of games are decided on kicks so when you get down to the nitty, gritty you have to practice. My problem is getting a few boys who will get the ball and kick it back to me!!," he added with smile after Sunday's victory.

Roberts was pleased with the start Navan made as they forged into a 16-0 lead after just 19 minutes. However, he was a little concerned about the way the team lost its way subsequently.

"We've got a smaller pack than most other sides and because of that we try to bring it to other teams and sometimes it works and today it did. We went into the lead, but suddenly we looked at the scoreboard and Tullamore were back in it and were coming back at us so we'll have to have a look at that.

"The first 20 minutes or so we gave it to them and they turned it around. I don't think we switched off or anything, they are a very physical side and when they started to put the pressure on us we sat back a little. It wasn't until the second-half that we got our second wind and started to believe we could win," added the out-half who says he is really enjoying his sojourn in the Emerald Isle.

Next up for Navan is a league game against Monkstown. Then there's also the AIL Junior Cup and the semi-final of the Provincial Towns' Cup after that. Navan may yet meet Tullamore in the Junior Cup final. The Offaly side play Clonmel in the last four while Navan will face either Sligo or Crosshaven.

Busy days ahead for Roberts and his colleagues as the season starts to really hot up.