Bonus point boost as Navan take huge step to safety

AIL DIV 2A

Navan put in a huge performance to secure a crucial 42-17 AIL Div 2A victory over relegation rivals Malone at Balreask Old in Navan on Saturday afternoon, writes Tom Gannon.

Heading into the contest both sides were aware of the magnitude of this game. The two sides were sitting bottom and second bottom of the AIL with Navan’s superior score difference keeping their heads above their opponents, so the reward for victory was huge.

The two sides injected some early pace in the opening five minutes. Both lines of defence were broken by opposing wingers Paddy Fox and Mark Galvin. However, neither side were able to capitalise on the opportunities presented to them.

It was the away side who struck first blood after seven minutes when Dan Kerr crossed the line to put Malone ahead. Nathan Brown converted to give Malone an early seven-point lead.

Navan bounced back almost instantly thanks to a superb run by Rory Gordon. Gordon laid it off to Ryan Healy who had nothing but grass in front of him as he ran the ball over for Navan’s first try. Following a successful conversion, the game was all square.

Navan showed real intent and tenacity in the opening 25 minutes. The home side were capitalising on every Malone mistake at lineouts and scrums.

Despite Navan's persistence and domination in this period, the Belfast-based side held strong and Navan struggled to find a way through the last line of defence.

Malone eventually succumbed to Navan’s pressure and a maul from a lineout led to an opportunity for Ben McEntagart to cross the Malone try line and put Navan ahead. Rory Gordon secured the extra two points to give Navan a seven-point lead with five minutes left in the first half.

Navan extended their lead further before the half-time whistle. This score was almost a carbon copy of their previous try only this time it was Jamie Kavanagh who drove over the Malone try line. That score secured a 21-7 interval advantage for the hosts.

Navan were utterly dominant in that first half. They had spent most of the opening 40 minutes inside the Malone 22 and actually could have had a bigger lead at the interval.

Malone came out of the blocks quickly in the second half securing an early second-half try thanks to Daryl Maxwell. Nathan Brown missed the resulting conversion.

Malone knew they had to go in search of scores and they continued to pile the pressure on Navan. Another maul from a line out led to Malone's third try which was secured by full-back Ross Todd. Another missed conversion from Brown meant that Navan still held a four-point advantage as the contest entered the final 25 minutes.

Despite a slow start to the second half Navan came back at Malone and eventually Ryan Healy secured his second try. Gordon's conversion gave Navan a nice 11-point cushion with 15 minutes left.

Navan had an opportunity to extend their lead further however Gordon's kicked attempt for three points came back off the right-hand upright. It was a rare error from Navan’s placekicker who had a near flawless performance.

Navan refused to rest on their laurels and a Sean McEntagart try with five minutes to go felt like the final nail in the coffin as Navan went up 18 points to the good.

Moments later a fantastic run from Rory Gordon secured Navan’s sixth try. Gordon followed up his try with his finest conversion of the afternoon. The kick which was right in front of the stand was roared over the bar by the ecstatic home supporters.

Malone could not capitalise on their last opportunity for a consolation try and Navan secured a crucial bonus point victory over the Ulster outfit. Navan are not out of hot water yet but this win over Malone will be a massive confidence booster to the Meath side as they look to secure their status in the AIL Div 2A for next season.

Navan - Rory Gordon, Paddy Fox, Sean McEntagart, Kyle Dixon, Peter McEntagart, Evan Dixon, Jakob Matthews; Ryan Healy, Jamie Kavanagh, Jordan Finney, Eoghan Noonan, Conor Hand, Ben McEntagart, Leon Akopian, Ryan Healy; David Clarke, Liam Carroll, Conor Ryan, Harry Devlin, Mark Farrell.

Malone - David McMaster, Mark Galvin, Nathan Burns, Nathan Brown, Andrew Bryans, Adam Keating, Jack McMurtry; Ben Halliday, Dan Kerr, Lawson Porter, Josh Storey, Jacob Edwards, Daryl Maxwell, David Cave, Ross Todd; Matthew Crowther, Gary Crawford, Jordon Magner, Oliver Scott, Mark McGlynn.

Referee - Barrie O'Connell.