Pink panthers produce powerful performance

Suddenly out of left field came a performance to gladden the hearts of the faithful at Balreask Old. This 10-point victory over Suttonians in the AIL Div 3 on Saturday was every bit as convincing as the final scoreline suggests. There were no trophies handed out at the end of this encounter, but the Navan players looked as pleased as if they had won the title itself - and with good reason. This had been coming a long time and seldom can a nondescript, run-of-the-mill league victory have been greeted with such delight by the Navan players and supporters. The previous Saturday Navan had arguably put in their worst display of the season, particularly in the second-half when they became increasingly ragged. Against Suttonians it was the direct opposite with Leon Jordaan's side growing visibly more and more confident as the game went on. It was the perfect way for the team to finish off their league programme at home, the second win of the campaign carved out with a certain style and panache that matched the team's pink jerseys. With a bonus point tagged on for good measure. Maybe the performance had something to do with the little extra buzz that could be detected around Balreask Old? A big crowd gathered at the ground as part of the club's 'Pink Day' the now hugely successful annual event to raise money for breast cancer research. The pre-match attempt to achieve a world record number of successive passes didn't turn out as planned yet all the activity generated a carnival-like atmosphere and this may all have helped. Players such as Leigh Jackson, John Duffy and Johnny Baker (pictured), who had a spell in the sin-bin, again led the charge. This time they were backed up by a team on song with Tommy Clarke, who made a couple of impressive steals in the line-out, Simon Hogan, with his dancing feet, Ross O'Brien, Eoin Hanratty and Rory Gleeson all giving their best performances for some time. "We delivered on a promise today. The lads said lets stick together and if we are up against it we'll come back," Jordaan told the Meath Chronicle afterwards. "We went 5-10 down, but the attitude was different, the mental approach was different. We've played even better than that this year and still lost." Certainly there was an intensity and purpose about the home team right from the kick-off and this determined pose was reflected in the way the ball was moved forward in the opening minute and Gleeson ended up going over for a try. Suttonians hit back and took a stranglehold on proceedings and it looked like it was going to be a familiar old tale for Navan. A gallant performance that ultimately fell short. It certainly looked that way at half time when Suttonians led 10-5. Of the two teams it was they who looked poised to push on and win the game. They had dominated much of the play in the lead up to the interval as Navan struggled to find any continuity. The visitors ran in two tries in quick succession from Jamie Ward and Mick O'Shea, the scores underlining Navan's tendency to be exposed in defence this season. Jordaan was an animated figure talking to his players at the interval, all movement and gestures as he pointed out what he wanted done - and his words appeared to have the desired effect. From the start of the second-half Navan were a team that was focused and confident. They believed once more. What Navan really thrived on was the quick ball from their line-outs as well as the scrums and rucks. When a Navan player powered forward there was a colleague at his shoulder ready to receive a pass. Their play was controlled and purposeful, the ball moved steadily through the phases. Navan's set pieces were steady all afternoon and with 46 minutes gone they were awarded a scrum about 30 metres out and in the centre. The ball was secured, moved quickly and the barnstorming Jackson showed his power to get over for try, 10-10. From then on Navan produced the fireworks. It was quick ball from their own line-out that led to Navan's third try minutes later. Davis found touch from a penalty. Duffy took possession from the throw. The ball was passed to Paul Feeney who pumped his legs and barrelled his way through for try number three. Martin Coll had missed a few kicks at goal including one relatively easy effort from close range. Davis took over the place-kicking duties and converted. A well-worked try from Duffy followed, again converted by Davis, as Navan produced some champagne rugby. Their play was varied and increasingly they punched holes in the Suttonians defence. Davis scored from a penalty in front of the posts. Navan were helped by some abject play by the visitors who kicked away good ball. Tommy Geraghty was surely disappointed to miss a tackle that led to Suttonians' second try. Shortly afterwards he did make a morale-boosting tackle that halted a threatening move in its tracks. Saturday was also a good day for David King who came on as a substitute after a lengthy lay-off with injury, for his first appearance of the season. He could hardly have timed his return any better. Navan - M Coll, M McAuley, S Hogan, M Harrington, T Geraghty, J Davis, R O'Brien; R Gleeson, J Baker, E Hanratty, J Duffy, L Jackson, T Boyle, T Clarke, B Smyth. Subs - P Feeney for Boyle, A Hickey for Harrington, D King for Hanratty, R Riley for Jackson. Suttonians - D Farrell, D Mulligan, D Higgins, M O'Shea, D Traynor, J Ward, A Griggs; A Murray, D Lambert, G Connolly, K Bracken, C Murphy, R Delaney, P Dwane, P Proctor. Referee - Stuart Gaffakin. Next up: Saturday 16th April - Greystones v Navan, final game AIL Div 3.