Tough day at the office as learning curve continues for Newry against Civil Service

Newry Seniors continued their long journey back to a settled senior squad with a tough day at the office against a talented Civil Service on Saturday.

With key players still gradually making their way back to seniors game time, Bruce Cornelius continued blooding young players and they took to the field aware of the strong challenge they faced. 

Game time and seniors match experience is crucial for Newry at this stage of the season and while defeats are tough to take the Telford Park lads are making progress as they fulfil their fixture list.

Newry welcomed Steven Fearon back to the starting fifteen, in the backrow for the first time this season and he made a strong impression on the Blue and Whites' performance. 

They enjoyed good spells of early possession with strong carries from Stephen Beattie and Sean McCaul and can count themselves unlucky not to score from a maul five metres out with Civil Service managing to hold the ball up.

There were impressive displays from young players Lorcan Comiskey and Nathan Hong who made his first senior league cap in the front row 

Civil Service ran out deserved winners, off the back of a strong kicking game and set piece to take the game 52-0.

This season is about developing a seniors team for Newry and there are signs that with a little strengthening in a few key positions results will start to turn.