Bonus point despite defeat

The long trip to Rifle Park in Banbridge did at least yield a bonus point for Navan in their opening All-Ireland League Div 2B encounter on Saturday. This was a much improved performance by Navan compared to recent outings and considering that Banbridge narrowly missed out on promotion last year a bonus point was a respectable return for their efforts. The Banbridge forward division is coached by former Irish international Simon Best and the home side exerted plenty of pressure in the early stages. However, Navan hit back when Riaan Van Der Vyver won possession outside the his own '22' and broke through the Banbridge midfield. He placed a deft kick into the corner for winger Casey Dunne to run onto and get a touchdown. David Sheridan's difficult conversion attempt drifted just wide of the posts. Shortly afterwards Navan were awarded a penalty inside the Banbridge half. The decision was taken to go for a quick tap penalty which came to nothing but a kick at the posts seemed a better option. In the 24th minute the visitors conceded a penalty after a clearance attempt was blocked down and the Banbridge out-half stepped up to steer the ball between the posts to make it 3-5. Out-half Van Der Vyver was proving to be a real threat for Navan and a break by the visitors set Simon Monaghan on a direct route for the line. Just short of the line Monaghan was dragged into touch and the chance was gone. Banbridge secured plenty of possession with the help of their powerful forward division but the Navan defence didn't allow them to progress across the gainline. Leigh Jackson and Paul Feeney were particularly active at the breakdown and at the interval Navan led 5-3. The visitors started the second-half strongly although they were guilty of trying to force matters when a little more patience was required. Early in the second-half David King had to retire with an injury and from then on Banbridge started to get an edge in the scrum. Navan were deemed to have collapsed a scrum after 54 minutes and Banbridge added three more points from the penalty to push ahead. The Ulster side added another penalty soon after as Navan's problems in the scrum continued. In trying to run the ball from inside their own '22' Navan conceded possession and Banbridge went on to force a penalty try which was easily converted and the hosts were home and hosed. With a few minutes remaining Jackson got the ball at the base of a Navan scrum and went over for a try between the posts. Van Der Vyver converted. There was still time for the Balreask Old outfit to win the game but Banbridge, looking less than comfortable, held out. While Navan lost there were a lot of positives to be taken from this game ahead of the game against Sligo at Balreask Old on Saturday. Navan - S Hogan, S Monaghan, D Geraghty, D Sheridan, C Dunne, R Van Der Vyver, D Delahunt, L Jackson, S Dawson, T Boyle, P Feeney, J Duffy, D King, J McGahy, D McDonagh. Subs - T Geraghty for Monaghan, R O'Brien for Delahunt, C Brady for Dawson, E Hanratty for King, M Liddle for McGahy, McGahy for McDonagh.