Jenkinson Cup (J2): Sunday 09.04.22

North Meath Athboy 36 – 26 Boyne

North Meath's senior men claimed a spiriting win in their opening home fixture of the season, coming from 5-19 down to claim a 10 point victory against Boyne.

The home team were off to a flying start when debutant Ruben Mostert claimed the ball from the kick off and came tantalisingly close to running it for a devastatingly early try.

There were two more chances for North Meath in the opening minutes with Eanna Finn making a break in the 22 but unable to offload and then Adam Deighan stopped just short of the line.

So it was against the run of play when Boyne scored the game’s opening try from their first visit to the North Meath 22, going over from short range after a solid scrum.

Boyne could easily have scored a second soon after but for a try-saving tackle from scrum-half Nathan Kiernan who also managed to get over the ball and win back possession for the home team.

Minutes later Kiernan then executed a fine chip over the top in the Boyne 22 for Mostert to chase and fall on the ball to square the game at 5-5.

Parity did not last long however. Loose play from North Meath gifted the ball to Boyne and their dangerous left winger ran in under the posts for a converted score.

Kiernan’s game then came to a premature end after picking up an ankle knock. Things got worse just before half-time when the Boyne winger doubled his try tally finishing of a nice move to leave North Meath 14 points down at half-time.

The home side made a strong start to the second half and scored early. Conor Grey moved to scrum-half for the injured Kiernan and his 50/22 kick gave North Meath a lineout 5m from the Boyne try-line.

Ciaran Cullen took the throw at the front and scored to make it 10-19.

North Meath were in the ascendancy with the forwards beginning to make dents in the Boyne defence. Hooker Adam Deighan got the home team’s s third try to make it 15-19. And when backrower Ben Shine went over shortly after for a converted try, North Meath were ahead for the first time in the game.

This was followed by the try of the game as good hands in the backs and forwards sent Mostert over for his second and North Meath’s fifth of the game.

Despite the 10 point gap, Boyne continued to press the game as North Meath tried to defend their lead. Heavy pressure in the 22 led to two yellow cards for the home team and a try for Boyne, making it a three point game (29-26) going into the last few minutes.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, North Meath managed to weather the Boyne attacks and after kicking to the corner, it was Shine who got his second try to kill the game off.

Shine was one of a number of standout performers in the pack, along with Cullen, Cannon and both Dowds brothers. The front row of Bashford, Deighan, Flanagan and Sean Gilsenan all performed well against a strong Boyne scrum and some strong ball carriers.

Replacements Shine, Paul Butler and Oisin McDermott all played their part while winger Mostert had a memorable debut.

The only blight on a gloriously sunny afternoon at the Grange was the injury to Kiernan.

Team: Ben Wiseman, Jordan Herring, Cian Doogan, Eanna Finn, Ruben Mostert, Conor Grey, Nathan Kiernan, Sean Gilsenan, Adam Deighan, Sam Bashford, Dennis Cannon, Ciaran Cullen, Kevin Dowds, Andy Monaghan, Andrew Dowds
Replacements: Killian Flanagan, Ben Shine, Oisin McDermott, Paul Butler, John Lyon

Tries: Mostert (2), Cullen, Deighan, Shine (2)

Conv: Oisin McDermott (3)