WHEN NEW Ross scrum-half John Brazil kicked the ball into touch deep in injury time, he bought to an end an enthralling Under-19 Leinster League Premier Division final which saw New Ross defeat local rivals Enniscorthy by the narrowest of margins in Kilkenny on Saturday last.

By defeating Enniscorthy 9-8, New Ross captured the title and in the process completed their Leinster campaign unbeaten to take the Seán Stratton Cup back to Southknock for the first time since 2004.

The tight scoreline does not reflect the quality and drama of the encounter which had the large crowd on the 'edge of their seats' right up to the final seconds.

New Ross began sharply, forcing an early penalty which out-half Wally Walsh converted to give them an early three-point lead. But this was always going to be a tough encounter, and Enniscorthy responded with some sharp back play putting the New Ross defence under pressure.

The pattern was set. Enniscorthy, always a threat out wide, moved the ball quickly, with the New Ross defence meeting the challenge head on. The set piece was also a crucial area, with both packs keenly contesting scrum and line-outs.

The New Ross Irish international front row of Tadhg Furlong, John Sutton and Kieron Sutherland went about their business efficiently, with Sutton particularly busy in the loose play. Furlong and Sutherland also put in immense work in defence.

Further New Ross pressure brought another penalty which Walsh converted to extend the lead to six points after 18 minutes.

Enniscorthy, playing with the slight breeze, then began a period of sustained pressure. The Ross back three of Michael Furlong, Thomas Joyce and Michael Gannon were put to the test by a series of Garryowens.

Furlong knocked on at his '22 to give Enniscorthy their first clear opening. From the scrum, the Enniscorthy backs worked the ball left, but the long missed pass was adjudged forward with the Ross defence stretched and outnumbered.

Shortly after, Ross were penalised and Enniscorthy got on the scoreboard with a fine penalty to leave the score at 6-3 to Ross. With Gavin O Gara and Kieran Treacy working well in the line-outs, out-half Wally Walsh tried to get the New Ross midfield moving. Centres Crowdle and Healy-Magwa looked for the breaks but were always under pressure from the Enniscorthy defence.

Then came the only try. From play, Enniscorthy won a ball just inside the New Ross half and quickly chipped over the defence. The chasing player collected the bouncing ball to score in the corner. The conversion was narrowly missed to the right to leave the score 8-6 in favour of Enniscorthy at the break.

The second-half was a test of character for both sides. Chances were few, but the standard of play remained high.

New Ross worked their way out of their own half as the forwards carried the ball well. Number 8, Gary Madigan, was prominent in this period, supported by the front five. The Ross play yielded the first opportunity of the second-half when Enniscorthy were penalised.

Wally Walsh tapped the ball over to give New Ross the narrowest of leads. Enniscorthy poured forward, gaining yards and moving the ball wide, but the well-marshalled New Ross defence held firm.

New Ross loose forwards Don Foley and Foley Phillips were covering massive ground, with Phillips in particular responsible for halting many a move with some massive hits.

Enniscorthy pressure was growing and the New Ross line-out, which had functioned well through the afternoon, was being disrupted. Ross full-back Michael Furlong was solid under the high ball and ran back at Enniscorthy when the opportunity presented itself.

With the Enniscorthy defence flirting with the offside line, Ross out-half Walsh was always under pressure. New Ross had half chances, with intercepts by Crowdle and Gannon, only for the attacks to be cut out by the speedy Enniscorthy defence.

The half wore on and injuries began to disrupt the play. With limited opportunities, every scoring chance was going to be vital.

New Ross absorbed the pressure and when required the set-piece lineout and scrum retained possession. The clock ticked down and with an unknown amount of injury time to be played, the game entered its final phases.

The game was being played deep in New Ross territory and it was now a case of fire, passion and cool heads. New Ross remained the coolest at this stage.

Under the severest pressure they conceded only one penalty to Enniscorthy who declined to kick and instead went looking for the try.

During this period of sustained pressure, Enniscorthy created three tryscoring chances which were stopped by match-winning tackles made by John Brazil, Wally Walsh and Michael Furlong. The seconds ticked away and it was still anyone's game.

Ross cleared their lines and Enniscorthy were forced into touch. O'Gara secured the last line-out and Brazil wasted no time in clearing to touch. The long blast of the referee's whistle was greeted with relief and joy by the large group of New Ross travelling supporters.

Mick McCoy, the Honorary Secretary of the Leinster Youth committee, on presenting the trophy remarked that it was the best game of rugby he had seen at this age grade all season.

He paid compliments to both sides for a competitive and hard-fought contest played in the best spirit of the game.

Congratulations to coach Tony Brazil, Francis Coughlan and his squad for a fantastic season in Leinster League competition.