Another big display from Newbridge in massive Leinster League win
Newbridge put 53 points on the board against Clondalkin in an impressive outing
Newbridge travelled to Baldonnel Farm to take on bottom-side Clondalkin, looking to build on their impressive bonus-point victory over Portlaoise the previous week. The hosts, however, came into the game full of confidence following their first league win of the season away to New Ross.
Clondalkin started brightly, putting the Kildare men under pressure in the opening exchanges, but the visitors defended well and looked dangerous whenever they moved the ball wide.
After 20 minutes, a superbly executed lineout 10 metres out saw hooker and captain Will Jennings cross for the opening try. Tim Murphy's conversion drifted wide, leaving Newbridge 5-0 ahead.
The lead grew shortly after when the impressive Eoin Walsh, who seemed to be everywhere, powered over near the posts. Murphy added the extras to make it 12-0. Clondalkin responded with a converted try to reduce the deficit to 12-7, but Newbridge soon took control.
Worrying Injury
Despite losing outhalf Tim Murphy to a worrying injury, with Donal Cashman coming on in his place, the visitors continued to play some excellent attacking rugby. A sweeping backline move saw Riain Murphy break clear before releasing fullback Eimhin Conroy for a well-worked try. Another flowing move, featuring some brilliant offloading, saw Murphy stopped just short before opposite winger Stephen Cooke picked and drove over. Newbridge went into the break with the bonus point secured and a commanding 26-7 lead.
The visitors picked up where they left off after the restart, with Conroy racing clear for his second try before Riain Murphy crossed to put the result beyond doubt. To their credit, Clondalkin enjoyed a purple patch, scoring two quick tries to reduce the deficit to 40-19.
Newbridge responded in style, with substitute Chris Leech producing a superb break and finish before Riain Murphy rounded off another excellent attacking move with his second try, sealing an emphatic 52-19 victory.
It was arguably Newbridge's best performance of the season, with Eoin Walsh, Brendan Commane and Shane Treacy outstanding in the pack. Behind the scrum, the backline looked threatening whenever given space, while Donal Cashman controlled proceedings superbly after his introduction, benefiting from quality service from the tenacious Kevin Commane at scrumhalf.
The victory gives Newbridge another valuable bonus-point win and plenty of momentum ahead of a big challenge next Sunday, when they welcome second-placed North Kildare to Rosetown.
CLONDALKIN RFC: 1. Darren Madden, 2. Brian Doyle, 3. Nika Patsia, 4. James Kenny, 5. Thomas Duffy, 6. Louise Dixon, 7. Eoin Delaney, 8. Joshua Apps, 9. Conor Loughrey, 10. Niall Hilliard, 11. Cathal Downey, 12. Conor Murphy, 13. Niall Nolan, 14. Jack Brennan, 15. Fionn Kenna, 16. Josh Domican, 17. Robert Smith, 18. Alejandro González, 19. Eoin Brady, 20. Bruno McCann.
NEWBRIDGE RFC: 1. Michael Ugochukwu, 2. William Jennings, 3. Brendan Commane, 4. Mark Bennett, 5. Cameron English, 6. Shane Treacy, 7. Eoin Walsh, 8. Max McLoughlin, 9. Kevin Commane, 10. Tim Murphy, 11. Stephen Cooke, 12. Robert Waters, 13. Caleb Aiulu, 14. Riain Murphy, 15. Eimhin Conroy, 16. David Morgan, 17. Callum Reynolds-Sourke, 18. Chris Leech, 19. Zack Meehan, 20. Donal Cashman.