Navan aim high as Kanturk are conquered

The dream of winning the AIL Div 2C title remains very much alive for Navan as they defeated Kanturk 41-0 at Balreak Old today with Riaan van der Vyver helping himself to a hat-trick of tries. 

Further touchdowns from Bryan McKeever and Sean Vodden ensured that this game was in the bag for Navan well before the final whistle. 

Out-half Declan Bannon showed some fine, consistent kicking from  placed balls to land five conversions and two penalties to help the home side on their way. 

On a perfect day for rugby Navan sought to move the ball out wide at every opportunity and they exposed big gaps in the Kanturk defence. 

Struggling near the foot of the table Kanturk needed to take something from this game but they were already in deep trouble at the interval when they trailed 0-20 and while they exerted some sustained pressure in the second-half there was simply no stopping the home side. 

Navan were particularly dominant in the scrum and that provided them with the kind of platform to go on and win. 

They were, as they have been superb at the breakdown, while they moved the ball around well using the dry conditions to good effect. 

With Sligo chalking up a bonus point victory over Bruff the pressure is still on Navan but they are four points ahead at the top of the table and looking good. 

Next up for Alan Kingsley's side is a game away to Tullamore. Then its Bangor away before the last league game of the season against Sligo. 

That should have something of a cup final atmosphere as it is increasingly looking like the title will go to Navan or Sligo but there's still a lot of rugby to be played.