Senior win caps busy Ross spell
Most squads back in action
THE NEW Ross rugby season rolled into its first full weekend of fixtures on Saturday and Sunday with most squads on duty.
The Under-14 boys were at home in Allianz Park versus Enniscorthy in the South East League and came out second best to their neighbours.
The Under-15s were entertained by Enniscorthy at Ross Road and came away with a solid win, a feat which was repeated by the Under-18 girls later on Saturday in Southknock against Enniscorthy once more.
The late youths kick-off on Saturday was a home friendly versus Waterpark for the Under-18 boys who lost this one.
On Sunday the ladies were home to leaders C.Y.M. in the Leinster League Division 2 and were unlucky to go down 24-12 as the weather deteriorated badly and C.Y.M’s superior size finally wore down the Ross defence.
C.Y.M. came with a big reputation and showed some fine rugby skills early on and took the lead midway through the first-half after some good support play to lead 7-0.
This scored fired New Ross into life and they dominated the remainder of the first-half, scoring two fine tries and a difficult conversion to lead 12-7 at half-time.
New Ross started the second-half strongly and good driving play from the forwards and supporting back play kept C.Y.M. under pressure. Both teams showed good attacking and defensive play despite the deteriorating weather conditions.
However, the more consistent support play by C.Y.M. finally brought its rewards with two hardearned tries. Both were converted, giving C.Y.M. a 21-12 lead.
C.Y.M. scored a late try in the dreadful weather conditions. Despite this setback New Ross finished strongly on the attack with Tricia Doyle going on another strong run when she was bundled into touch and unfortunately received a serious injury to her ankle and had to be taken to hospital.
The final score was 26-12 for C.Y.M. Both teams can be proud of their efforts, showing some excellent kicking, defensive and attacking skills and the return match is one to look forward to. Hopefully Tricia will make a speedy recovery.
With the seconds having a weekend off, the firsts were on S.E.L. business at the earlier than usual kick-off time of 1 p.m. in Arklow.
From the first kick-off New Ross totally dominated the game to win 49-7. The New Ross scrum was dominant all day and laid the foundation for the very convincing win.
The throwing and catching in the line-out was top quality. The pack worked very hard to provide quality ball to the backs, and there was excellent support at the breakdown and in broken play also.
From a great line-out win in the second minute, New Ross moved the ball through the backs. David Crowdle chipped through to Matt Crowdle to run on to and touch down in the corner. Paddy Delaney converted for a 7-0 lead, and added a penalty in the seventh minute.
Arklow responded with a try from a good drive by the pack, but on 17 minutes New Ross won an Arklow scrum and James Ryan scored in the corner. Paddy Delaney again converted to make it 17-7.
Following constant pressure by New Ross, another penalty was converted by Paddy Delaney in the 28th minute.
On 37 minutes Arklow give away a penalty on their five-metre line and received one of several yellow cards. New Ross opted for the scrum, and James Ryan scored in the corner with Paddy Delaney converting.
New Ross continued to dominate the game in the second-half. From a tremendous line-out throw by Shane Roche and great catch by Niall O’Callaghan, the ball went through the backs.
Seán Crowdle chipped through and David Crowdle ran on to the ball to score the try for a 32-7 lead.
From a scrum the ball went out the line in the 75th minute and Cormac Tierney showed great maturity to score a try.
A mighty break by Garry Murphy and great hands delivered the final pass to Matt Crowdle who scored in the corner.
From a scrum on the Arklow five-metre line the ball went out the line for Matt Crowdle to land the try, with Niall Coughlin converting to complete the 49-7 win.
New Ross: Foley Phillips, Shane Roche, Kevin Browne, Dave Bolger, Kyle Roche, Niall O’Callaghan, Steve Roche (capt.), James Ryan, Paddy Delaney, Eanna Burke, Gary Murphy, Michael Malone, David Crowdle, Cormac Tierney, Matt Crowdle. Subs: Seán Crowdle, Jimmy Brien, Niall Coughlin, Joe Coughlin.