J3 XV v Naas (H) 19.10.2018

The J3’s were back at home on Friday night looking to make it 3 wins from 3 in Division 4. But they had a big challenge in front of them in the shape of their adversaries from last year, Naas (also promoted this year after winning Div 5). The sides met three times last season with Naas edging each fixture with only a score between them on each occasion, so Mary’s were looking to put a stop to their run.

It was a tight affair from the off and after good pressure in the 22 St. Mary’s got the first points on the board with a penalty after 15 mins.

But Naas struck back straight away with a penalty of their own. 3-3.
Naas had a yellow card against them but St. Mary’s were unable to capitalise on the numbers advantage.
Naas scored a try around 30 minutes in but were unable to convert leaving the score 3-8.
St.Mary’s spent much of the remaining minutes of the half putting pressure on Naas and should have had scores but it remained 3-8 at the half way mark.

The second half was much of the same… very tight and not many opportunities. Both sides probably felt they should have scored more.

St.Mary’s got another penalty to make it 6-8 and tried again to take the lead towards the end with a kick from just inside the half, however it wasn’t to be and that’s how the game finished up 6-8 to Naas.

Lots of learning points to take forward from a team and individual point of view.

Four wins on the trot against St.Mary’s for Naas now but to coin a phrase from Vitas Gerilaitis… Nobody beats the St.Mary’s J3’s five times in a row!!!