Newbridge hold table-toppers Coolmine to thrilling draw

Newbridge resumed their league campaign with the visit of league leaders Coolmine RFC to Rosetown. Coolmine arrived sitting top of the J1 and J2 leagues, with Newbridge J2S just a point behind them, while the J1S were looking to close a significant gap on the table-toppers.

Conditions were wet and blustery, and it was Coolmine who opened the scoring with an early penalty. Newbridge responded almost immediately, asserting scrum dominance from the outset. Quick ball out wide allowed Riain Murphy to slice through the defence and score a fine try in the corner to edge the hosts ahead 5–3.

Newbridge continued to dictate the opening exchanges. A powerful maul was held up just short, but from the recycled ball Will Jennings powered over beside the posts, with Donal Cashman converting to stretch the lead to 12–3.
Max McLoughlin break from the base to crash over, giving Newbridge 17–3 lead.

Coolmine struck back Luca Abdaladze crossed to leave it to 17–8 at the break.

Osebor Evbodaghe touched down close to the posts, the conversion narrowing the gap to just two points at 17–15. Substitute Robbie Waters sniped over from close range to restore a seven-point cushion

The game appeared sealed when John O’Brien intercepted on halfway and sprinted clear to score in the corner. The score stood at 27–15 with 15 minutes remaining. However, Ill-discipline cost the home side as Coolmine level at 27 apiece.

Next up for Newbridge is a home fixture against North Kildare RFC this coming Sunday.

NEWBRIDGE: 1 Dave Morgan 2. Will Jennings 3. Brendan Commane 4. Jack Moore 5. Cameron English 6. Chris Leech 7. Dinny Clarke (Capt) 8. Max McLoughlin 9. Fergal Doyle 10. Donal Cashman 11. Stephen Cooke 12. John O’Brien 13. Riain Murpohy 14. Gavin Houlihan 15. Darragh Whyte 16. Adam Bingham 17. Aaron Donnelly 18. Stephen McElligott 19. James Parkinson 20. Robbie Waters.

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