Scorers:
Navan: Try: Ben McEntagart (38’); Con: Mark Farrell (39’); Pen: Mark Farrell (43’)
Rainey: Try: Kieran Donaghy (55’); Con: Scott McLean (55’); Pens: Scott McLean (5’, 26’, 30’, 36’)
(Half-Time: Navan 7 Rainey 12)

Navan Men's 1st XV's push for upward movement in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B was halted on Saturday as they succumbed to a 10-19 defeat against Ulster side Rainey at a sodden Balreask Old.

​Following their confidence-boosting first win of the season away to Buccaneers in Athlone, Navan were hopeful of continuing their momentum. However, heavy pre-match rainfall created soft underfoot conditions, leading to a closely contested, physical battle.

​Rainey, clear in their intent, started strongly, running hard at the Navan defence and forcing several early penalties. Out-half Scott McLean was accurate from the tee, slotting three kicks to give the visitors a 9-0 lead before adding another to stretch the gap to 12-0.

​Crucially, Navan responded just before the break. Centre Ben McEntagart found a gap in the midfield defence, running in to score a vital try under the posts, converted by Mark Farrell, leaving the half-time score at 7-12.

​The second half began brightly for the home side. An early infringement by Rainey allowed Farrell to kick a penalty, narrowing the deficit to just two points, 10-12.

​The turning point of the second half came with a spell of indiscipline for Navan. Two consecutive sin-bins left the home side short of numbers. Rainey immediately capitalised on the advantage, scoring a converted try through Kieran Donaghy to push their lead to nine points, 10-19.

​Upon returning to full strength, Navan pressed hard into Rainey territory, desperately seeking a score to close the gap. However, the visitors' stout defensive pressure was resolute, holding out until the final whistle.

​Best for Navan on the day was out-half Tom Gavigan for his influential performance in challenging conditions.

​The result unfortunately sees Navan drop to the foot of the Division 2B table (level on points with Enniscorthy and Buccaneers). Their next challenge in Round Seven will be a demanding away trip to County Tyrone to face fifth-place Clogher Valley on Saturday, 29th November.

Navan Player of the Match “Sponsored by The Central”: Tom Gavigan;

NAVAN RFC Men's 1st XV Squad "Sponsored by Hannon Travel":
Harrison Astley; Mark Coen, Shane Walshe, Ben McEntagart, Harry Devlin; Tom Gavigan, Mark Farrell; Liam Carroll, Gary Faulkner, Jordan Finney, Oisin Heffernan, Karolis Navickas, Johnny McKeown, Conor Farrell, Conor Hand (capt).

Replacements:
Fionn Craik, Shane O’Connor, Saul Nicholson, Harry Hester, Kit Waddington.

RAINEY: Ross McLaughlin; Damien McMurray, Killene Thornton, Jim McCartney, Andrew Brown; Scott McLean, Lorcan Quinn; Andrew Nevin, Daniel O’Neill, Michael Nevin, Ronan McCusker, Ewan Bolton, Adam Montgomery, Tom Hutchinson, Michael McCusker (capt).

Replacements:
Kieran Donaghy, Thomas McNicholl, Eoin McGuckin, Joel Bell, Andrew Donaghy.

Referee: Kevin Coffey (IRFU)