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.
At the time of writing my last piece two weeks ago Naas RFC were looking forward to getting a few good results from the last three games to keep the pressure on NUMI Barnhall for that 2nd automatic promotion slot or at least secure the playoff spot. Well the boys on the First didn’t disappoint. Two wins from two and a final home game against mid table Instonians to come to finish of the league in style on the 13th April.
Naas Sink the Well at Forenaughts
Saturday, 23rd March 2013, Forenaughts 35 - 7
Naas RFC went into 2nd place in Ulster Bank AIL Div. 2B League following a decisive win over Sunday’s Well by 35 points to 7 at their home ground in Forenaughts. Outscoring their Munster opponents by 4 tries to 1, Naas gained a well-deserved bonus point to lay down a marker to the other top of the league teams that this County Kildare team are gunning for promotion. With most other AIL Div. 2 B games postponed due to unplayable pitches Naas took the opportunity to go 1 point ahead of nearest rivals NUIM Barnhall and move to 2nd position behind runaway league leaders Rainey Old Boys. It is worth noting that Rainey have only dropped two points this season and that was to Naas when a last minute injury time converted try earned them a draw at Forenaughts. This proved a good measure of form in respect of where Naas are positioned in the league.
With 2 more games to go in the league, on the 30th March away against Clonakilty and the final league match of season 2012/13 at home versus Instonians (Belfast) on April 13th Naas are pushing ahead for promotion. With the first 2 teams automatically promoted and the third placed team committed to a play-off against the 3rd last placed team in Div 2A it is winding up to be a great finale day for the club.
Naas Get Upper Hand in West Cork
Saturday 30th March @ The Vale, Clonakilty 15- 21
Naas travelled to West Cork over the Easter holiday weekend to take on Clonakilty in round 14 of the Ulster Bank League (Division 2B) which kicked off at The Vale on Saturday. With Naas in 2nd overall league position and Clonakilty positioned 14th this was considered a must win encounter for both teams; in the case of Naas so as to continue their challenge for promotion and in the case of Clonakilty to avoid potential relegation. On preliminary consideration, with Clonakilty having only won only 2 of their previous 13 games, Naas might have expected a relatively comfortable win but on closer examination the prospect of relegation together with the fact that they had only lost 2 prior home games suggested otherwise and so it proved to be.
The early stages saw Naas dominate possession but it was almost immediately evident that territory was going to be hard won given the off-the-line speed of the Clonakilty defence and their robust and determined tackling. Despite this Naas settled well and gained early forward momentum from their impressive backrows.
In spite of the win Naas have conceded ground to NUIM-Barnhall who have now moved up to the second league position following their bonus point win over Navan on Saturday although both teams are on equal points (51) Barnhall have a better points difference and a game in hand. Whichever team, Naas or NUIM-Barnhall, take most league points from the remaining games will likely retain second place in the league and automatic promotion with third place going into the play-offs. Barnhall still have two tough fixture starting this weekend away to Boyne rfc and then their final fixture is away to Nenagh Ormond next week. Luckily for Naas both Nenagh (4th) and Boyne (5th) are still in with a shout should Naas slip up next week and they get their own two wins so they have a lot to play for and neither like loosing at home. The other scenario is that Barnhall get their 2 wins and Rainey slip up and the title will go to Kildare!
So it’s tight at the top of Division 2B – Naas will be keeping a close eye on the results from this weekend while they rest up and then its all to play for on the last day of the league, next Saturday 13th April.
| 1 | Rainey OB | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 390 | 142 | 248 | 7 | 0 | 57 |
| 2 | NUIM Barnhall | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 458 | 184 | 274 | 8 | 3 | 51 |
| 3 | Naas | 14 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 399 | 220 | 179 | 4 | 1 | 51 |
| 4 | Nenagh Ormond | 13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 283 | 181 | 102 | 4 | 3 | 43 |
| 5 | Boyne | 13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 257 | 194 | 63 | 3 | 3 | 42 |
| 6 | Armagh | 13 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 270 | 154 | 116 | 3 | 3 | 40 |
| 7 | Skerries | 13 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 312 | 205 | 107 | 3 | 3 | 38 |
| 8 | Navan RFC | 13 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 263 | 286 | -23 | 3 | 3 | 34 |
| 9 | Sligo | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 197 | 257 | -60 | 2 | 1 | 25 |
| 10 | Instonians | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 212 | 315 | -103 | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| 11 | Suttonians | 13 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 236 | 315 | -79 | 2 | 3 | 21 |
| 12 | Thomond | 14 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 232 | 304 | -72 | 1 | 5 | 20 |
| 13 | Sundays Well | 14 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 212 | 336 | -124 | 1 | 5 | 20 |
| 14 | Ards | 13 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 180 | 320 | -140 | 2 | 1 | 19 |
| 15 | Clonakilty | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 220 | 354 | -134 | 1 | 5 | 18 |
| 16 | Connemara | 13 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 127 | 481 | -354 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
U21’s - Naas v Dublin University, Purcell Cup, Round 1
Sun 24th March 2013
Naas Advance in Purcell Cup 19-18
Naas U21’s Hosted Dublin University at Forenaughts on Sunday (24th March) in the opening round of the Purcell Cup. Dublin University started with intent and immediately caused problems for Naas in the opening quarter due especially to their high tempo offloading game and forward momentum which Naas would have struggled more to contend with were it not for the skilful relieving kicks from Rob Campbell and John Jennings.
Naas lead by the narrowest of margins 7-6 at half time scoring the only try and conversion to Dublin Universities two penalties.
The 2nd half proved to be just as tight with Naas adding to more tries and a conversion and Dublin University getting 2 tries and one conversion of their own leaving the final score 19-18
Naas U21’s now progress to the Quarter Final stages which takes place this Sunday the 7th April against Coolmine at home.
Best of luck to the –
J1’s in a local Derby against Newbridge in the semi finals of the Provincial towns Plate Friday night (5th April).
U19’s who play away to Boyne in the Semi-Final of the Leinster League Div 1 on Friday
U17’s who play at home to Navan in the quarter final of the Culleton Cup on Sunday.
Best of luck also to the U11’s as they host the annual all Ireland Joe Moran Blitz – 42 teams, 650 players from the 4 provinces will be in Naas for a great days Rugby lets hope the weather is good to us.
The U 12’s busy end to the season started of with a successful couple of blitzes over the past two weeks. First was the trip to DSLP and then last week conquering Munster in the Clonmel Blitz coming home with the Cup for the best performing team.
Next up this weekend are the North Midlands Area Blitz and a friendly against Blackrock this weekend all 4 squads playing on both days.
On the non playing side congrats to a past Naas Minis player Craig Ronaldson, top points scorer in Division 1A helping Lansdowne RFC to the UBL Title and also signing a pro contract for Connaught.
Also on the night of the final league game the final of “The Voice of NaasRFC” will take place in the clubhouse. The brain child of Ian Kelly “The Voice of NaasRFC” is a singing contest that has been running through the season after each home league game. After a little scepticism early on this has turned out to be very popular and with some stiff competition it is taken quite seriously and draws a good audience that otherwise might have gone home or drifted back into town.
Strictly Come Dancing is also back in Naas RFC after a very successful first outing last season the organizers hope to make it bigger and better than last year, more details next time.
Till Next time Happy Rugby and best of luck to the Irish teams in London this weekend 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!
