Mullingar first lose close encounter with Ashbourne in Leinster League clash

Mullingar lost this Leinster League Division 2 game to but secured a vital losing bonus point for restricting the margin to four points. Having had to replay the Towns Cup 1st round game last week, this is the third competitive game in as many weeks, and the first Mullingar lost, so both teams were well aware of each others strengths A tight game was decided by three penalties and a try to a converted try and a penalty.Mullingar started the brighter team, applying the pressure, but unforced errors prevented the home side from scoring. Ashbourne responded and scored an initial penalty through their young number 9. Having missed another penalty, Ashbourne kicked well to force territory and Mullingar had a defensive lineout. Mullingar failed to clear the ball away and Ashbourne pressure yielded an attacking lineout less than ten yards out. From the resulting maul, the Ashbourne scrum-half went over for the crucial score in the game, and although he failed to convert, the score was eight points to nil half way through the first half.Mullingar responded very well. Good play brought them a scrum outside the Ashbourne 22, and from subsequent possesion,Ashbourne went offside to surrender a penalty under the posts. Alan Kelly stepped up and pegged the lead back to 3-8 on 30 minutes. Mullingar were now getting on top in loose play and won a penalty in midfield which was kicked for territory and a lineout inside the Ashbourne 22. From a good lineout take and driving maul, Deering sent Aongus Smyth through but he was held just short of the line. Playing a penalty advantage, Mullingar backs showed the ball some air off two consecutive rucks and Captain Niall Smith took full advantage to break two tackles and score near the posts. Alan Kelly converted and Mullingar had the lead 10-8 after 35 minutes.The second half was a tight and hard-fought contest. After ten minutes, the referee deemed a Mullingar tackle to be dangerous and awarded a penalty in the home 22. Ashbourne went for the lineout and set up a good driving maul. Mullingar defended their line really well, forced a knock-on, and cleared outside their 22 but did not find touch. Ashbourne ran the ball back and following good tackles, set up a ruck in which Mullingar were judged to have gone in from the side. Ashbourne converted to retake the lead by the slimmest margin, 10-11.Mullingar attacked from the kick-off and gave it everything to regain the lead. From the kick off, good pressure saw the ball knocked on by Ashbourne, it came to Deering, who passed to Angus Smith, who gathered his own chip kick, passing to Brian and on to Ray Murphy to make good ground and force a penalty.Unfortunately there was no reward as the kick went narrowly wide. There were then three substitutions to freshen the front row and bring in fresh legs in the backs. Having withstood this period of home team pressure, Ashbourne moved into Mullingar territory with ten minutes to go.A series of scrums began with Ashbourne forcing a penalty from a Mullingar put-in, opting for their own scrum.Although Mullingar defended their line well, one tackle was deemed high and Ashbourne were happy to convert the penalty and come away with three points, leading 14-10, which is the way the game ended.Team: James O'Hara, Robbie Collentine (Shane Murray (65)), Bernard Brady (Alan Keena (65)), Ollie Kirby, Vinnie Hewitt, Tony Doolin, Peter Gibson, Ray Murphy, Shane Deering, Alan Kelly, Angus Smith, Richie Kennedy (Craig Swanson (60)), Niall Smith (Capt), Jason Winfield, Brian Murphy. Subs not used: Sean Owens, Declan Murphy.