Roots & All is a project where we pick a few teams that don’t normally make the spotlight week in week out and feature them regularly throughout an entire campaign.
Naas Excel in Final Round of Ulster Bank League to Set Up Promotion Opportunity
Saturday, 13th April 2013, KO 14.30 hrs
Naas senior squad completed the final round of their Ulster Bank League campaign in superb style on Saturday last (13th April) at Forenaughts when they hosted Instonians of Belfast and scored an impressive nine tries, four of which were in the first period, to secure a comprehensive bonus point win. Naas hooker Jock Toland and Samoan backrow Misioka Timoteo (Misty to his supporters and friends) lead the charge with a hatrick of tries each which was impressive but probably of more significance was the outstanding defensive performance of the entire Naas first team which denied Instonians a single score. This result means Naas have now finished third overall in the league, behind Rainey Old Boys and NUIM-Barnhall, after winning twelve of their fifteen rounds and have now set a new record in terms of their highest finish to date in senior AIL rugby. As you can see from the table Naas finished on the same number of points 56 each but were pipped to the post by Barnhall superior point score difference. Naas will now travel to Dr. Hickey Park this Saturday for a Division 2A promotion/relegation play-off against Greystones to determine whether they will be promoted to Division 2A next season for the first time.
Naas gave an outstanding display of their considerable rugby talent in this game and it was a fitting way in which to bring down the curtain on their UBL Division 2B season. This was a very successful season with the highest number of win by Naas and their highest league finish to date. All their attention will now focus on that Division 2A relegation/promotion play-off next Saturday when their league status, promotion or not, for next season will be decided.
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Rainey OB | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 457 | 167 | 290 | 9 | 0 | 67 |
| 2 | NUIM Barnhall | 15 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 532 | 230 | 302 | 9 | 3 | 56 |
| 3 | Naas | 15 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 454 | 220 | 234 | 5 | 1 | 56 |
| 4 | Nenagh Ormond | 15 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 362 | 211 | 151 | 6 | 3 | 53 |
| 5 | Boyne | 15 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 299 | 268 | 31 | 3 | 3 | 46 |
| 6 | Armagh | 15 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 342 | 205 | 137 | 4 | 3 | 45 |
| 7 | Skerries | 15 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 355 | 256 | 99 | 4 | 3 | 43 |
| 8 | Navan RFC | 15 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 310 | 309 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 43 |
| 9 | Sligo | 15 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 240 | 313 | -73 | 3 | 3 | 28 |
| 10 | Suttonians | 15 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 285 | 343 | -58 | 3 | 3 | 26 |
| 11 | Instonians | 15 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 220 | 413 | -193 | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| 12 | Thomond | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 256 | 321 | -65 | 1 | 5 | 24 |
| 13 | Ards | 15 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 216 | 384 | -168 | 2 | 1 | 23 |
| 14 | Sundays Well | 15 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 226 | 353 | -127 | 1 | 6 | 21 |
| 15 | Clonakilty | 15 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 237 | 387 | -150 | 1 | 5 | 18 |
| 16 | Connemara | 15 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 161 | 572 | -411 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
The U21’s aren’t doing too bad either after securing the league for the 3 year in a row they have set their eyes on the Purcell Cup.
After a narrow 1 point victory over Dublin University in round 1 there next opponents were to be Coolmine RFC in the 2nd round but they conceded that game so it was on to the semi final which saw a home draw against Old Wesley on Tuesday evening of this week. The boys came out on top with a 35-5 victory and now are in the final this Sunday against Seapoint. So the League and cup double is still very much a realistic goal.
The J1’s after been knocked out of the Provincial Towns Cup had a good victory against Carlow away in the 2nd round of the Town Plate 31-19, and again away in the 3 round against Gorey 30-15, which then set up a local Derby against Newbridge away in the semifinal. After a very hard fought contest they were narrowly beaten 24-22 in the final mins of the game.
The J4’s had their usual short season with a run out in the Michael Dunne Cup. They came through Round 2 away to Enniscorty with a 22-15 victory and the semifinal was last Sunday in Naas where they were narrowly beaten 12- 15 by New Ross.
All the youth and minis are finishing up this week and I’ll give a full round up next time But I do have to mention our u12 who competed in the Leinster U12 blitz last weekend we were lucky to be able to enter 2 of our squads and they played 3 games each and Naas U12’s won all 6, well done boys.
This Saturday Naas U12’s will be playing Greystones U12’s @1pm as a curtain raiser to the UBL Playoff game– this is the first time these boys will play a 15 aside game and on a full pitch so we are looking forward to it with great anticipation.
The U11’s ran the annual all Ireland “Joe Moran Rugby Festival” and yet again what a fantastic feast of rugby on show, Irish rugby is safe for many years. 42 teams 36 different clubs from the 4 provinces with over 650 enthusiastic players. Who ever believes that mini’s rugby should be run on a completive, graded, basis should come and watch one of these events!
Ballina RFC were awarded the runners up plate and it was our fellow Harpinonrugby bloggers Claremorris RFC who went home with the cup for the best overall team, not just playing but everything including respect, style, energy and more. Just a coincidence I can assure you.
Till next time have a good one and keep following us on twitter @naasrfc for all the match and league updates hopefully we will be promoted by the time we talk again!
Click here for the club website
Thanks Michael and best wishes to all at Naas RFC for the big matches ahead!!!
