Greystones strike late
Takatai bags late try to secure a vital win over Navan
GREYSTONES will stay outside the dreaded AIL 2A relegation zone for another week after a dramatic win over fellow drop zone candidates Navan at Dr Hickey Park on Saturday afternoon.
With time running out and everything pointing towards a defeat for ’Stones, Iva Duffy Takatai popped up with a late try to secure a massive victory in the Wickow club’s bid to stay in the division.
Greystones were awarded a penalty 40 metres out just one minute into the game. Killian Marmion made the decision to kick for goal, much to the surprise of many fans, and he just missed, not being able to direct it between the posts.
The hosts did get themselves on the scoresheet within the first 10 minutes, though. Marmion had a penalty much closer in this time around as he split the posts from 27 metres out to put his team into an early lead.
Navan got forward four minutes later and nearly had the first try of the match. Seán McEntagart broke through the defence before being stopped a few metres short. He offloaded to Jakob Matthews, who in turn gave it straight back to the centre. McEntagart was then tackled, and the visitors were penalised for a foul at the breakdown.
It would not be long before the Meath club would get the first try of the game, though. McEntagart intercepted a loose pass inside his own half. He only had one thought in his mind: get to that try line, and no one could stop him as he blazed towards it.
Rory Gordon was left with a simple conversion right in front of the posts, and he took the two additional points on offer with a straightforward kick.
The away side could not hold onto their lead for long, though. With ’Stones on the front foot, David Baker gave a short pass to Marmion on his left-hand side.
The fly-half struggled to keep hold of the ball, but he still managed to waltz past two defenders before giving it to Conor McAleer, who went over for a try under the posts. Marmion made no mistake with the conversion and the home side were back into the lead.
It was an open game now, and Navan had their second try just four minutes later. Kyle Dixon gave a long ball to Paddy Fox, who was waiting out wide. The winger beat the last defender with a fake pass, and there was no one left to stop him then as he went over for a great try, much to the joy of the large away contingent in the crowd.
Gordon could not add the extras from the conversion, sending the ball just wide of the far post, but his side still went back into their changing room with a 12-10 lead.
The visitors got the second half off to a dream start. Peter McEntagart played a long pass to Gordon out wide.
The full-back was tackled, but he managed to reach over the line for an important score. He was left with a difficult conversion out wide, but he kicked the ball with precision and power to secure the full seven points.
Greystones made it a one-score game once again seven minutes later. After his team were given a penalty just behind the 22, Marmion took the three points on offer.
The hosts should have had a try then. Stephen Corry looked to be away as he ran towards the line before being stopped just short. He dropped the ball, but, to his luck, it went backwards. Simone Ragusi picked it up and passed back to Corry who was free out wide, but there was too much on the throw as it went into touch, much to the visible relief of the Navan players.
To rub salt into the wounds, the Meath side scored their bonus-point try on the hour mark. Peter McEntagart went short to Seán McEntagart, who in turn gave it to Gordon out wide. The full-back made a dash for the line and went over in the corner, much to the frustration of the home supporters who felt there had been a forward pass in the build up.
Gordon was unperturbed as he added another two points with a terrific kick from the touchline.
’Stones got themselves right back into the game with a try just one minute later. Marmion passed to Corry on the 22-metre line. The winger ran towards goal but was tackled five metres out. He offloaded to McAleer who dived over for the score. Marmion easily slotted the conversion from right in front of the posts, and there was just six in it with 16 minutes still to play.
The away side had an opportunity to extend their now fragile lead with six minutes left on the clock as they had a penalty 30 metres out. Gordon kicked for goal, but he could not steer his shot over the bar.
Then came the try in the dying embers. The home side went through an incredible number of phases on the line, but the Navan defence was seemingly impenetrable. That is, until Takatai took the ball out of a ruck and reached over the line for a try under the posts that could be the difference between survival and relegation come the end of the season. Marmion still had to score from the conversion, but he was never going to miss from straight in front of the posts.
There was to be no further scoring as Greystones won 27-26. The supporters were delighted to have seen their team win on the back of consecutive defeats at the hands of Nenagh Ormond and Old Crescent.
Despite the victory, Greystones are still only four points ahead of Navan in the relegation scrap due to the two losing bonus points picked up by the Meath club. They are back in action on Saturday as they travel to Leixlip to take on MU Barnhall. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
The Hungry Monk man of the match was Conor McAleer.