Balreask Old

Navan secure big victory over Garda-Westmanstown

Leinster Division 4

Garda-Westmanstown 7 Navan 25

Westmanstown, Dublin

by Mary-Louise Quinn

Navan Women played their sixth game of the season in Division 4 today away to Garda.

The game plan was to work on our rucking and to run straight lines in attack. We went into the game with a whole new back line due to many of our squad carrying injury’s. Because of this our game plan was going to be harder to carry out.

However, our rucking was brilliant for the majority of the game and in the 2nd half particularly, our straight line running clicked into place creating great attacking lines. Great ball carrying and great supportive play scored us our tries.

All subs were utilised throughout the game and came on with a job to do. Even when positions changed our girls showed their versatility and ability to adjust. However, none of this made any difference to the heart each player on the pitch played with!

Garda gave a great game. They had strong tacklers and never gave up fighting for more, right to the final whistle.

A big thank you to Garda for hosting the game. We look forward to meeting you again in the second half of the season.

Tries scored are as follows:

Shaunagh Keogan x 3

Ruthie Moore x 1

Emma Looby x 1

Our special mention today goes to Kerrie Mannion playing her first game for Navan.

A big thank you to our supporters for travelling to Garda. It is always much appreciated!

Our next game is on the 4th of December at home to Kilkenny.

Leinster Boys Under 16 League.

Navan 7 Naas 24

Togher, Portlaoise

Navan travelled to Portlaoise on Saturday for an early KO v Portlaoise in a repeat matchup of last years Div 1 Leinster final, Navan knew that they would face stiff competition from last years beaten finalists.

While Navan started strongly, and spent the first 10min deep in the Portlaoise half, they were unable to penetrate very disciplined defence. Portlaoise were particularly committed to the breakdown and secured crucial turnovers, preventing Navan from scoring.

After one such turnovers, a long clearance by Portlaoise resulted in a sustained period of attacking play that resulted in a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Right from the restart Portlaoise once again utilised their forwards well to secure the ball, with some neat passing inside and out keeping Navan on the back foot and ultimately creating another try.

The conversion was unsuccessful, but now Portlaoise had a 10 nil lead.

They continued the pressure game and once again good work at the breakdown gave the platform to cross the try line under the posts and give them a lead of 17:0

Navan loves the ball forward and managed to spend the last 3 mins close to the Portlaoise try line, but once again, strong defensive work ensured that Portlaoise finished their half with a lead of 17 to 0.

The second half was a tighter affair, but despite Portlaoise going down to 13 players for five mins, Navan were still unable to punish them.

When the teams returned to parity, Portlaoise pressure at the breakdown prevented Navan getting any go forward ball. Navan went down to 14 players as a result of a yellow. Care. Playing with sustained pressure and control, Portlaoise pushed on to score another try under the posts to take a 24 point lead.

When Navan returned to a full complement of players , they managed to get through a number of phases, retaining the ball and moving it well. They finally crossed the try line after some strong forwards work and neat inside pass from Eoin Burke, Ciall Flynn crashed over for a try. Converted by Luke Kennedy to make the score line 24 to 7.

A tough day at the office for the lads. However there are always positives, with Jamie Keane and Jack Mangan getting their first starts, and Luke Traynor and Cian McMahon making their debuts in Navan colours.

This is a squad game and the lessons learned and experience gained, coupled with hard work by coaches and players will ensure better days out in the future.

Leinster Boys u-15 League

Navan 25, Naas 0

Balreask Old, Navan

Navan u15s had another impressive performance on Sat at Balreask Old against a strong Naas team in the Leinster u15 League.

Navan started the best with some big carries from forwards Jack Giles and Myles Doyle. It was not long before Jack Giles broke the deadlock crashing over for try no.1 for Navan. Lorcan Craik kept a cool head to split the posts with the conversion to leave it 7 - 0 to Navan after 5 mins.

Navan pressed hard for the next 10 mins and their hard work was soon rewarded when Jack Giles went over in the corner for his and Navan 2nd try of the game.

Lorcan Craik converted a penalty shortly before half time to leave it 15 - 0 to Navan at the break.

The second-half was pretty evenly matched with good defensive structure from both sides for most of the half. Myles Doyle finally broke the Naas defence with a classy solo try with 10 mins to go.

Lorcan Crack converted before also converting a penalty to leave the final score 25 - 0 to Navan which leaves them comfortably top of the Leinster League going into their final game in two weeks away to Kilkenny.