Navan go in search of vital points
by Jimmy Geoghegan Updated: Wednesday, 13th January, 2010 4:55pm
Navan coach Brad Harris.
Hatrick Park is the next venue on the list as Navan continue their adventures in the All-Ireland League Div 3.
That's the home of Rainey Old Boys RFC, the team the Meath side are scheduled to take on next Saturday as they go in pursuit of their third league win of the season.
The weather forecast suggests that the game will go ahead and after their scheduled clash with Ards was snowed-off last weekend Brad Harris and his team will be hoping to get back into competitive action soon rather than later.
The Navan game against Ards has now being re-fixed for Saturday, 13th February with a 2.30 kick-off. Ireland take on France in Paris the same day in the Six Nations and that clash will get underway at 4.30.
Rainey Old Boys, who are based in Magherafelt, Co Derry, currently hover just below mid-table in the AIL Div 3 with the Ulster side just one point ahead of Navan with the same number of games (seven) played.
There are other similarities between the teams. Like Navan, the Derry side are relatively new to the senior rugby scene having won the Ulster Junior League in recent seasons.
They consolidated their place in the AIL last term and the fact that they have more experience of playing at this level suggests they will hold the edge going into Saturday's game.
Apart from their opening joust with bottom-of-the-table Co Carlow on the opening day of the season, Navan have found it difficult to make an impression on their travels with heavy defeats picked up against Queens University and Suttonians.
However, in their last away outing to Nenagh Ormond, the Balreask Old boys gave an indication that they were finally coming to terms with the particular challenges they faced when on the road.
They got to the tempo of the game much earlier than they had against Suttonians when they were on the backfoot from the start and consequently paid the price on the scoreboard.
At times Navan moved the ball quickly through the hands against Nenagh and created openings and played with a confidence that was conspicious by its absence in previous outings.
Victory is essential for Navan on Saturday, but it will be hard-earned.
The following week, Navan will host Wanderers in the AIL Div 3 and following that the Meath side will face a long trip to Cork to tackle Sundays Well.
LEINSTER LEAGUE
Ashbourne will look maintain their push for Leinster League Div 2 honours when they travel to take on Longford on Sunday.
"We had a blip for a few weeks before Christmas when we were hit with injuries to a number of players," Ashbourne captain John gavin told the Meath Chronicle on Monday.
"All going well we will be playing this weekend and hopefully we can get the win that will keep us ahead of the pack," he added.
Navan will return to Provincial Towns' Cup action on Sunday, 31st January with a trip to Clondalkin in the opening round.
This will pose a big test for Navan as they will have to compete in this competition without the first team AIL players who are ineligible.
Ashbourne will make the journey to Mullingar where they will be optimistic of advancing to the next round of the competition against the men from Westmeath.
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