Navan open home campaign with an impressive victory

There have been some fine individual tries scored at Balreask Old over the years and the supporters who showed up at the home of Navan RFC on Saturday for this AIL Div 2B clash witnessed two more. The both came from Navan's new out-half Riann Van Der Vyver who twice produced little flashes of champagne rugby that went a long way to ensuring that Sligo returned to the west punch drunk and empty handed. The first of Van Der Vyver's solo efforts arrived on 51 minutes when he won the ball about 10 metres inside his own half. In front of him was a phalanx of Sligo players who blocked his way. There were few options available. Instead of moving the ball wide as might have been expected the South African dinked the ball over his opponents. The ball bounced kindly for him and after re-gaining possession he switched on the after-burners and ran for the line with Sligo's chasing pack unable to even come near to catching him in the 50-metre chase. With 56 minutes played the red-headed Van Der Vyver again won the ball 20 metres out and again there appeared to be no prospect of a score. Yet with a shimmy, a shake and little jink he was able to side-step a series of tackles. Suddenly he was in the clear and away to get a touchdown under the posts. It was those two scores, added to a lot of other good spells of rugby produced by Navan that left the Balreask Old faithful delighted at the end and more than willing to give their side a rousing reception when the final whistle blew - and with good reason. Newly promoted to the AIL Sligo showed in spells that they are a decent side who could surprise a few teams this season. A week earlier they only lost their opening game of this campaign by a point to Boyne. They presented a strong challenge in this contest and Navan responded in a positive manner. The Balreask Old side now contains a number of new signings who have helped to add more steel and while there will be stiffer challenges to come this was an overall encouraging performance. They were in front all the way and only briefly looked like relinquishing the lead which they established as early as the sixth minute when David Delahunt unleashed a Garryowen. Casey Dunne won possession and he, in turn, released Conor Brady who powered over for a try. Van Der Vyver converted and Navan were on their way. The South African drilled the ball between the posts from a penalty soon after and at the break Navan led 10-0. In the second-half Van Der Vyver produced his two little pieces of magic with one of his tries converted by David Sheridan, a cousin of Meath footballer Joe and brother of Leinster Academy player and under-age international Eamonn. The issue was put beyond doubt in the closing minutes when captain for the day Leigh Jackson capped a fine display by powering over for a touchdown. Strong in the scrums and line-outs the Navan forwards displayed plenty of guile and experience in both the tight and the loose with David King, John Duffy and Paul Feeney among those to get big hits in and make the hard yards. The home side were quick to the breakdown although their cause wasn't helped when Sligo managed to secure a couple of turnovers when Navan had good attacking platforms established. Duffy executed a number of steals from Sligo throws and it was from one of those that Van Der Vyver eventually won possession and scored his opening try. Not that Navan had it all their own way. Sligo produced the first touchdown of the second-half within just two minutes of the re-start when Robbie Keegan skated over in the corner. Then the balance shifted from one side to the other. Van Der Vyver hit back with the first of his solo efforts to put Navan 15-5 to the good. For the next 15 minutes or so Sligo dominated and their scrum-half Paddy Pearson got in for another try with alarming ease. Mark Butler converted to leave it 15-12. Just after Pearson's score Navan's Australian prop Matt Liddle was sinbinned. That forced a reshuffling of the front-row. In the closing stages Navan re-asserted control to pick up their first league win of the season. And how their supporters savoured the moment. Navan - J Mullins, C Dunne, D Geraghty, D Sheridan, S Hogan, R Van Der Vyver, D Delahunt; M Liddle, J McCaghy, D King, J Duffy, P Feeney, T Boyle, C Brady, L Jackson. Subs - S Dawson for McGaghy, D McEnteer for Dawson, R O'Brien for Delahunt, T Geraghty for Brady, P Regan for Jackson. Sligo - M Butler, B Leahy, M Fifita, G Foley, R Keegan, D Hawkins, P Pearson; D Roe, R Mannion, A McHale, J Bowes, J Wilson, C Culhane, P Conlon, A McNulty, Referee - Johnny Erskine (Ulster Branch).