Navan traveled north to County Down to face Ulster club Banbridge in round twelve of Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A.
Navan coming off the back of a bonus-point win over Buccaneers the previous week, we're sitting one point behind Banbridge as they arrived in Rifle Park looking to continue their momentum.
The home side though were looking to put daylight between themselves and Navan in the table, and in the first half Banbridge showed their intentions to do so by scoring two converted tries.
Navan though kept pace with Banbridge with an unconverted try from Ben McEntagart and Tom Gavigan kicking two penalties to reduce the deficit to just three points with Banbridge’s lead just 14-11 at the break.
In the second half Banbridge looked to come out with intent to put the game beyond the visitors and likewise Navan looking to chase down the home sides lead.
Both sides traded another two tries each with Harry Devlin & Mathijs De Wit getting over the line for Navan. With the difference down to the Banbridge having more kicking success with the boot at 26-21, Navan looked to at least come away with a losing bonus point.
However in the last few minutes, Navan were penalized for an infringement within kickable range and Banbridge Outside-Centre Nathan Hook sent the ball between the uprights to give Banbridge an eight points win 29-21.
The defeat drops Navan down to eighth in the league table at the end of the current block of games. Navan will now break for a fortnight before welcoming Cashel to Balreask Old on Saturday 8th February with a 2:30pm Kick-off.
Navan Men's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by Hannon Travel": Rory Gordon, Harry Devlin, Mathijs De Wit, Evan Dixon (capt), Shane Walshe, Tom Gavigan, Mark Farrell, James Wyse, Gary Faulkner, Liam Carroll, Jordan Finney, Conor Hand, Kyle Dixon, Ben Mc Entagart, Thomas Ciot.
Replacements: Shane O’Connor, Leigh Jackson, Michael Brady, Jack Dixon, Mark Coen, Oisín Heffernan.
