Week 16 of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B saw a game of huge significance when Naas hosted Dublin University. Victory was vital for both sides, but for very different reasons. Dublin University went into the game as the form side in the league, having won their last four games which had catapulted them into second in the table, and another win here would give them a great chance of taking the one automatic promotion spot to Division 1A. For Naas a brilliant away victory over Highfield in their last outing moved them up to seventh place in the table, and if they could repeat that here it would go a long way in seeing them retain their Division 1B status for another season.

The game was played on a glorious afternoon weatherwise and the rapidly drying ground allowed both sides to play the open, running rugby that they are synonymous with. Dublin University enjoyed the majority of the possession in the early stages, but were unable to make much headway against a resolute home defence, but when David O’Sullivan was yellow carded for what the referee Daniel Carson deemed to be a deliberate knock on, they took full advantage by scoring 14 points in the ten minutes that Naas were a player down.  After 17 minutes some big carries by their pack put the home side on the back foot, before the ball was released to the backs and Matthew Lynch side stepped an attempt tackle to score. Then on 22 minutes the visitors moved the ball wide from the halfway line out to winger Alex Finlay, whose chip ahead was gathered by Hugh Lynch, who raced away to touchdown under the posts. Two successful conversions by Matthew Lynch made the score Naas 0 – Dublin University 14.

The home side needed to score next and that is what they did. After 33 minutes a clearance kick by Davy Colbert was gathered by Darragh Murphy, who took play up to half-way. Big carries by Will O’Brien and James O’Loughan drove the visitors back further, before Naas let the backs take over. A great break by Charlie Sheridan created space out wide for Donal Conroy, and the Naas winger showed great pace to race away from the covering defenders to score in the corner. Although the conversion was missed by Paddy Taylor, Naas were back in the game at 14-5.

However the home side will rue a very poor finish to the half, which saw Dublin University get in for another two tries. Within a minute of scoring, Naas conceded another try when after failing to find touch from a penalty the visitors attacked. Davy Colbert evaded a couple of tackles before passing to Oscar Cawley and when the latter was hauled down just short of the line, they had plenty of supporting players on hand, leading to Eoin McDermott crashing over for a try which Matthew Lynch converted. Then on 39 minutes, Naas suffered a sickening blow when after launching a decent attack, a pass by Charlie Sheridan was intercepted by Alex Finlay and there was no catching the Dublin University winger, as he raced away for their fourth try of the afternoon, which gave them a try scoring bonus point. Although this conversion by missed by Matthew Lynch, the visitors now led by 26 points to five which proved to be the interval score.

Naas came out fired up for the second half and within four minutes they had reduced the margin. Their pack drove at the visitors and were camped on their line through numerous phases. Finally after sucking in the defence, Naas moved the ball and Charlie Sheridan dived over from close range for a score which Paddy Taylor converted. Then on 49 minutes the margin appeared to have been reduced even further, when Charlie Sheridan danced through the visitors defence and looked to have scored. However the referee Daniel Carson deemed that he had knocked on while touching down the ball, and awarded a drop out to Dublin University – although it was a decision that the Naas player was adamant that the official had got wrong.

Dublin University made the most of this reprieve by scoring again after 56 minutes. A break by Mark Walsh had the Naas defence scrambling as he took play deep into the 22, before Davy Colbert found Jack O’Neill out wide and the hooker raced away to score. Matthew Lynch again converted to make the score 33-12 for the visitors. However Naas never stopped trying and were rewarded after 67 minutes when Muiris Cleary and Cormac King combined to put Paddy Taylor away to score under the posts, which the latter converted.

There was still time for another two tries to be scored on the afternoon – one for each side. After 71 minutes, from a scrum Dublin University moved the ball into midfield where Mark Walsh took a great line to slice through for a try, which Matthew Lynch successfully converted and then after no less than nine minutes injury-time, Tadgh Brophy showed great pace to take play up to the 22, when he was stopped the ball was quickly recycled and moved out to Muiris Cleary who found a gap in the visitors defence to score. Paddy Taylor converted to leave the full-time score Naas 26 – Dublin University 40.

That last try for Naas could turn out to be extremely vital for them as it gave them a try scoring bonus point. Every point from now to the season’s end will be invaluable, and that score may play a vital role in retaining Division 1B status for Naas. Although defeated they are in eighth place in the league, two points ahead of UCC who are currently in the relegation play-off spot. Both of the two games remaining for Naas will be like Cup Finals, and the first of these is next Saturday, March 28th when they travel to Energia Park to face Old Wesley. This game has a 2.30pm kick-off, and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Naas: Jack Sheridan, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Dylan O’Keeffe, David O’Sullivan, Paddy Taylor, Tadhg Brophy, Calum Coyne, Brad Clements, Stephen Lackey, James O’Loughlin, Oisin Halpin, Darragh Murphy, Will O’Brien (capt), Paulie Tolofua. Replacements: Tadgh Dooley, Patrick Brophy, Eoin Walsh, Muiris Cleary, Cormac King, Tom Bohan.

Dublin University: Davy Colbert, Alex Finlay, Hugo Lynch, Mark Walsh, Hugh Goddard, Matthew Lynch, Oscar Cawley, Eoin MCDermott, Jack O’Neill, Arthur O’Rahilly, Michael Walsh, Artur Smykovskly, Kevin Jackson, Conall Henchy, David Walsh (capt). Replacements: Jack Pollard, Karl Brennan, Hunter Deane-Johns, Thomas Davidson, Conor Tracey, Zach Quirke.

Referee: Daniel Carson.