THREE intercept tries in the second half handed Naas victory in this Leinster Senior League Cup match at Shamrock Lodge on Saturday – Boyne's first competitive match of the new season. However, there were plenty of positives from the Towns Cup holders' point of view as they prepare for what could prove to be a pivotal season in their history.

The Drogheda club qualified for this competition through finishing second in the Leinster Division 1A league last season, and while it gives them an opportunity to test their mettle against AIL opposition, it also gives peripheral squad players a chance to show their ability.

Boyne coach Craig McGrath has focused his attention on the younger players in the club since his arrival and many of these are progressing very nicely into contention for places on the club's senior team.

The team sheet on Saturday last included several new faces in Jenkinson, McQuillan, Carlos, Nulty, Traynor and Smith, and the match also featured the welcome return to the club of former star winger Colm Scanlan. These new faces all added to the intrigue of how the team would perform, and in an excellent first half they certainly showed wonderful promise.

On a splendid Shamrock Lodge pitch, that has never looked better due to the work of the grounds staff under Fergus Wilson, Boyne opened in scintillating fashion, concentrating on fast, open rugby, keeping the ball alive in forward and back play.

The Boyne forwards were taking the ball through the phases and McGrath was releasing his backs when attacking opportunities arose.

However, whilst they doninated in territorial and ball possession terms, they failed to cross for a try until almost mid-way through the half. Young Graham McQuillan was the scorer when he outfoxed the Naas backs to slice through and sprint away to touch down under the posts for an easy conversion for full back Niall Kerbey.

This was the opening score of the game and the home side were giving their senior opponents a torrid time in all departments.

Boyne players who were conspicuous during this period were centre McQuillan and number 6 Ciaran Smith. However, it was regular full back Kerbey who increased the home side's points tally when he played a prominent part in the build-up to a move which ended with him crossing the line to the right of the posts. He tapped over the conversion to put his side 14-0 in the lead.

Naas tagged on a penalty just before half-time to put three points on the scoreboard, however, and the second half produced a big turnaround in Boyne's fortunes.

They made some changes, as did Naas, and the tempo and fluency that was prevalent in the first half abated.

The fortunes of Naas took a turn for the better in the 50th minute when they intercepted an intended skipped pass by McGrath for their centre to sprint the length of the field for their first try, which was converted.

Naas kicked on from this to gain control of the exchanges. Boyne, amazingly, conceded two more intercept tries and the Kildare men ran out comfortable winners, even after Kerbey, who had a fine game, completed Boyne's scoring with another try and conversion.

Boyne play Navan in their second group game on Saturday at Balreask Old (3pm). BOYNE: Niall Kerbey; Robert Jenkinson, Adam Sherrard, Graham McQuillan, Colm Scanlan; Alan McEnaney, Craig McGrath; Cillian Duffy, Brendan Muldowney, Paddy Cooney; John Kinsella, Ian O'Reilly; Ciaran Smith, Nico Vorster, Eoin Collins. Replacements (all used): Paddy Muldowney, John Carlos, Leo Nulty, Gary Traynor, Shane Campbell.