Newtownshandrum take vital Division 2 Hurling League points with victory over Bride Rovers 

Newtownshandrum 3-16 

Bride Rovers 1-15 

THIS Red FM Cork County Division 2 Hurling League game at Rathcormac was a relegation battle. 

Very little separated two evenly matched sides who were level on six occasions over the hour. 

Jamie Coughlan was in great scoring form for the winners, while Adam Walsh struck some great frees for the home side. 

Jamie Coughlan and Conor Barry exchanged an early point with Conor Barry and Cormac O'Brien tying it at 0-2 each after four minutes. 

Bride Rovers hit the front with points by Adam Walsh and Ronan O'Connell. 

Jack Twomey and a Jamie Coughlan '65 were the replies for Newtown. 

Good play by Jamie Coughlan led to a Michael Thompson point. 

Coughlan had a goal for the visitors following a poor puck out. 

There was an exchange of points. 

Ronan Geary had a very good point for Newtown. In injury time Adam Walsh landed a pointed free as the winners led at the break 1-9 to 0-8.

There was an exchange of points on the restart. 

Good play by Denis Cashman led to well taken goal by Conleith Ryan from a tight angle.

In the 38th minute, impressive Ronan O'Connell levelled the match at 1-10 each. 

They were also deadlocked at 1-11 apiece. 

Jamie Coughlan with a very good point edged Newtown ahead. 

Good play by Cormac O'Brien led to a Jerry Lane point. 

Points by Jamie Coughlan and Ronan Geary opened up a four point lead 1-15 to 1-11. 

Bride Rovers replied with an Adam Walsh free. 

In the 55th minute, Jamie Coughlan and Adam Walsh exchanged another free. Good play by Eoin Roche led to an great Ronan O'Connell point. The home side got within a single point with three minutes remaining. 

They were unable to get on terms.

The winners full backline were very solid all through. 

A sideline cut by Jack Twomey found David O'Connor who placed Cathal Naughton for a goal. 

In the 62nd minute, David O'Connor with a goal ensured victory for the Avondhu side. 

Newtown have still to play Midleton and Erins Own while Bride Rovers have Eriu's Own and Killeagh in their two remaining games. 

Both sides need to win their final two games to have a chance of surviving relegation.

Scorers for Newtownshandrum: J Coughlan 1-9 (0 -3f. 0-3 '65s) C Naughton 1-0, D O'Connor 1-0, R Geary 0-3, C O'Brien 0-1, J Twomey 0-1, J Lane 0-1 M Thompson 0-1.

Bride Rovers : A Walsh 0-9 (0-8f) C Ryan 1-1, R O'Connell 0-3, C Barry 0-2.

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM : J Bowles, S O'Leary, P O'Sullivan, R Troy, D Hawe, C O'Brien, K O'Sullivan, C Twomey. S Griffin, M Thompson, D O'Connor, J Lane, R Geary, J Coughlan, J Twomey. Subs : S McCarthy for C Twomey (inj) C Naughton for S McCarthy.

BRIDE ROVERS : C Hogan, J Peters, D Cashman, C O'Sullivan, C Hazelwood, E Roche, S O'Connor, R O'Connell, C Ryan, C O'Connor, A Walsh, C Tobin, C Barry, P O'Flynn, J Aherne. Subs : T O'Sullivan for J Peters (inj) J Peters for C O'Sullivan, J Mannix for S O'Connor, S Aherne for C Barry, D Dooley for C O'Connor.

Referee : Cathal McAllister (Aghada)