Leinster title for Navan

With an impressive sense of timing Navan clinched the Leinster League Div 1 title at Enniscorthy on Sunday by conjuring up some of the best rugby they have produced all season. Navan"s chief objective going into this encounter was to win the game. It was as simple as that. A one point victory would have sufficed however, they did much more than that as they served up some scintillating rugby that left Enniscorthy demoralised and defeated well before the final whistle. The game was as good as over at the break when the Balreask Old side led by 25-0 and while Enniscorthy upped their performance in the second-half they never looked like they would spoil Navan"s party. Assisted by a stiff breeze Navan produced four excellent tries in the opening half, two from industrious scrum-half Kieran Mattson and one each from Thomas Geraghty and centre Maurice McAuley. Midway through the second-half, lock John Duffy sealed the issue with another touchdown and just before the end Karl Manning went over for a sixth to put the finishing touches on a memorable day for Navan. The big challenge now for coach Brad Harris is to try and produce the same type of fast-flowing rugby in the All-Ireland play-offs. It is certain that none of the teams they face in those games will be as accommodating as Enniscorthy. Navan enjoyed mixed fortunes from placed-kicks. With regular out-half and place-kicker Ryan Roberts out of action for another few weeks at least captain Simon Donnelly has taken over his duties. The previous day Ronan O"Gara showed against England that even the most accomplished place-kickers can have their radar scrambled. Donnelly also missed a number of opportunities against Enniscorthy and will be looking to improve on his three successful kicks from nine attempts. Navan won this game with considerable comfort despite having two players - Manning and Duffy - sinbinned. Navan dominated this game in a number of crucial sectors including the scrums where they gained supremacy from the start. Their power up front helped the Navan side build a platform to go on and dominate for lengthy spells particularly in the opening half. Displaying some neat off-loading in the tackle, clever running from a variety of angles and a sharpness at the breakdown Navan were well worth their big interval lead. It took some time for Navan to get going with the first try after 18 minutes when Harris and McAuley combined to create an opening for Thomas Geraghty who held off a few tackles to get the touchdown. The Navan player who gave one of his best outings for some time was Mattson, who proved to be a real handful for the Enniscorthy defence with his sniping, power-packed runs from the base of scrums and rucks. After 25 minutes the nippy scrum-half took possession about 20 metres out and embarked on a mazy run that brought him past a number of bemused Enniscorthy players who looked like men trying to get a firm hold of an eel. Soon after Mattson again was in the right place at the right time to get a touchdown with Paul Feeney and Bernard Smyth involved in working the ball forward. There were other searing runs embarked on by Mattson throughout the game and at times Navan passed the ball with quick hands and even quicker minds that created chasms in the Enniscorthy defence. A fine example of this fleet-footed, attacking play yielded Navan"s fourth try just before the interval with Harris, Donnelly and Karl Manning among those involved in creating an opportunity for McAuley who drove through for the try. Not surprisingly, Navan"s firm grip on the game loosened somewhat in the second-half as changes were made to give players a run out. Among those who made an appearance was Sylvanus Iro who continues his comeback after securing his work permit. Iro come on and as usual made a few big hits and his performance surely put him in contention for a start against Newbridge in the Provincial Towns" Cup. Manning also looked fully recovered from an ankle injury and produced one of his characteristic, jinking runs to get Navan"s sixth try in the dying seconds. One of the highlights of the day for Navan was the performance of John Duffy who was the main receiver in the line-outs. He also capped his afternoon with a fine try in the second-half. He used his strength to hold off a number of opponents and reach his desired destination - the tryline. Navan have reached one destination by winning the Leinster League Div 1 title. They now have to push forward to win the AIL play-offs. Navan - K Manning, M McAuley, S Hogan, T Geraghty, M Harrington, S Donnelly, K Mattson; E King, D Harlin, D King, B Harris, J Duffy, P Feeney, T Clarke, B Smyth. Subs - C Joyce for Dawson, S Dawson for Harris, E Dunne for D King, S Iro for Clarke, C Brady for Harlin. Enniscorthy - R Doyle, C Dalton, R Dunne, B White, F Ryan, I Poole, P Quigley; A Fraser, G Waugh, J Rath, J Leech, D Armstrong, S Wall, N Howe, G Murphy. Referee - Robbie O"Flynn (Leinster Branch).