Navan reign as Rainey are overcome

It was tough and it was demanding but in the end Navan defeated Rainey Old Boys 12-6 to go back on top of the AIL Div 2C at Balreask Old today. 

This was a tremendous display by Alan Kingsley's side particularly in the second-half when they dominated the visitors from Ulster up front. 

The visitors had the best of the exchanges in the opening half and they deservedly led 3-0 at the break with their full-back Scott McLean firing over from a penalty near the posts. 

For lengthy spells Rainey camped close to the Navan line and only some last-ditch tackling prevented a try with players such as Jackson and Sean McEntaggart getting in last-gasp tackles to hold back the tide.  Jackson, in particular, did well to stop a Rainey player from getting over for a touchdown.

Navan spurned a great chance to get on the scoreboard in that opening half when Declan Bannon missed a penalty from close in. 

The balance of the game shifted completely after the break as Navan, assisted by the growing strength of he wind, took control. 

With Conor Ryan, Bryan McKeever, Leigh Jackson and Riaan van der Vyver making the hard yards Navan set up field positions close to the Rainey tryline. 

Only some desperate defending kept Navan out as Kingsley's men moved the ball through the phases. 

Eventually the Ulster dam broke and from a line-out close to the Rainey tryline David Sheridan took the ball down, a rolling maul was set up and Sean Healy got over for a try. 

Declan Bannon missed the conversion but Navan, now having edged in front were determined to stay there. 

Feeding off quick ball from the rucks and maul their powerful set of forwards started to dominate their opponents with the front-row of Jackson, Healy and Sean O'Hehir superb. 

It was pressure from the forwards and a series of scrums that resulted in referee Robbie O'Sullivan awarding a penalty-try with time almost up which eventually sealed the win. Bannon converted. 

McLean superbly slotted over from an injury time penalty to rescue a bonus point for Rainey but Navan secured their win to complete the double over their nearest rivals - much to the delight of the home support.