This year, the Roots & All project is going to be a bit different. There are four clubs altogether and they will take turns by giving updates on their seasons every two weeks. We have been introduced to three of them already – Claremorris were up last night while Queens will feature next Wednesday. Tonight we hear more from Naas RFC, and our fourth club is a bit of a surprise…you’ll have to wait until a bit longer to find out who they are!
So it’s been a busy start to the season and we’re not even into September yet. There is a great buzz around the club and it seems to me that a lot of new faces, not necessarily new to the club, are getting involved this year, maybe its because of the few changes, fresh blood, to the executive or maybe its because of the 90th Anniversary either way its great for Naas RFC and hopefully it will give me a bit of material to keep you guys interested every 2 weeks.
The Leinster Senior League Cup and Shield kicked of last Saturday and we also had our registration day for Mini’s and Youths with the first day of training this Saturday. The U12’s even have a friendly match! against Newbridge RFC on the first day back. The U12’s had 36 register on the first day so looks like we’ll be close to the 80 players again this year at this age group.
As for the seniors, Naas firsts and seconds travelled to Donnybrook last Saturday (25th August) to take on Old Wesley in the Leinster Senior League Shield Section A.
This match also doubled up as the annual Stephen Mooney memorial match. Steven played hooker for both Wesley and Naas and is fondly remembered in both clubs, it would be interesting to see him cope with the “new” front row rules as he did like to bring it down very low!!
Naas showed impressive early composure and confidence and went ahead after just 6 minutes with a well worked try by fullback David Aherne, after combining with Johnny Delaney, Darragh O' Shea and Sam Sutton, which he also converted.
Old Wesley responded with two excellent mid range penalty kicks by their impressive out-half, Alan Large, following Naas infringements at the breakdown to make the score 7-6 by the end of the first quarter.
After 25 minutes, Naas were turned over and again penalised following a tackle on the home 10m line. From the subsequent lineout, Old Wesley were awarded a further penalty following a Naas ruck infringement and their outhalf, Alan Large, again slotted over from the 22 to make the score 9-7 to the home side.
Immediately from the restart, Old Wesley knocked on giving Naas a scrum on the home 10m line. The Naas scrum was excellent and gave a sound attacking platform. Naas Captain, Sam Sutton combined with Andrew Shirley who gave a perfectly timed pass to set outhalf, Darragh O' Shea free and he broke through the centre of the Old Wesley defence to touch down under the posts after 27 minutes. The conversion by David Aherne was routine and re-established the Naas lead with a score of 14-9.
A further penalty to Old Wesley 5 minutes later which was well taken by Alan Large narrowed the margin to just 2 points. However it was Naas who were to have the last say ahead of the interval. Following a superb 20m carry by Naas flanker Andrew Kearney he was subsequently tackled on the Old Wesley 10m line. Sam Sutton and John O' Brien then combined from a ruck to put centre Henry Bryce into space on the left flank and he broke through to give Naas a timely try. The conversion by David Aherne gave Naas a lead of 21-12 at the interval.
Naas dominated the early stages of the second half and crossed for a further try on 52 minutes which was scored again by outside Henry Bryce after combining with Darragh O' Shea, Gary Rowan and Sam Sutton, following a lineout on the home 22. David Aherne continued his superb kicking record to give Naas a lead of 28-12. Just 5 minutes later Naas attacked from a ruck on halfway again involving Sam Sutton, Darragh O'Shea and Henry Bryce. Wing Rob Campbell was tracking in close support and took the pass superbly from Bryce to cross and touch down in the right corner. The conversion again by David Aherne was precise to give Naas a 35-12 lead.
Naas looked comfortable for the remainder of the game however their concentration lapsed briefly in the last 3 minutes to allow Old Wesley to cross for two trys in rapid succession scored by their outhalf, Alan Large on 78 minutes and fullback, Ciaran Hurrell on 79 minutes.
Final score in Donnybrook Old Wesley 26 Naas 35 and a great start to the season for Naas RFC Firsts.
Unfortunately Naas seconds couldn’t follow that victory with a win of their own and wend down to a score of 65 -12.
Naas are again in Leinster Senior League action on Saturday 1st September against Seapoint away in Kilbogget Park Killiney and the following week 8th at home to NUIM Barnhall, which should be a nice little warm up for the opening round of the Ulster Bank League. Let’s hope they can build on their opening day performance.
See you in two weeks!
