Dungannon opened the defence of the Stevenson Shield with a 58-17 nine try
win over Instonians at a balmy Shaw’s Bridge.
Dungannon attacked from the start and gained their first try on five minutes
when Jason Bloomfield fed the white booted Adam Duhig who crashed over.
0 – 5
Two minutes later former Banbridge starlet Nicky Finlay converted a penalty
to close the gap to two points.
3 – 5
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A Derek Hall tackle won a penalty for Gannon. They elected for a penalty
lineout and a great twenty metre drive from the pack brought Mark Farquhar a
try in the tenth minute. Michael Lawton converted from near the touch line.
3 – 12
Some confusion in the Inst defence was pounced on by Paul Magee and the Home
side were lucky to survive. Then another promising Inst attack was covered
by Jason Bloomfield. On seventeen minutes the Inst pressure paid off when
Hugh Flanigan sent Chris Henderson over for a try. Nicky Finlay converted to
close the gap to two points.
10 – 12
Dungannon were dominating and a Paul McKenzie break looked dangerous,
although Mark O’Shea overran the ball carrier Paul Magee was on hand to
link and slip the ball to Michael Lawton who powered away for a try on
twenty-five minutes.
10 – 17
Great work from O’Shea and Lawton brought play from the Dungannon
twenty-two into the Inst twenty-two, the recycled ball looked dangerous but
Inst managed to crowd the Gannon attack out of play. However Inst conceded a
penalty that Michael Lawton dispatched.
10 – 20
With half time approaching Dungannon needed to convert their dominance into
points. Thankfully on thirty minutes, following good work by Michael Lawton
and Glen Sinnamon, Paul McKenzie raced in from twenty metres out. Lawton
added the extras.
10 – 27
Three minutes into the second half Mark O’Shea put some purpose into a
Dungannon attack as he danced through the Inst defence and sent Stuart
McCloskey away for a score.
10 – 32
On fifty minutes Mark O’Shea got his reward when he took a pass from Jason
Bloomfield on the ten metre line and powered through the Inst defence for
the try of the match. Stuart McCloskey converted.
10 – 39
On the hour mark Inst tried to break out of defence but fumbled the ball,
the quicksilver Bloomfield gathered and sprinted over for a try. Stuart
McCloskey converted.
10 – 46
Dungannon then had a wake up call when they made a hash of the restart,
fortunately Stuart McCloskey showed great strength to regain possession and
thwart Inst’s attack. Paul McKenzie broke out of defence and passed to
Kieran Campbell who very swiftly slipped the ball to Rowan Halsall. Rowan
brought play into the Inst half but without support the move broke down.
However from a quick scrum Bloomfield fed David Egner. The flying winger
raced away for his first try in the blue and white on sixty-five minutes.
10 – 51
On sixty-five minutes Richard Fegan got reward for his efforts when he raced
through a gap to score for Inst, Nicky Finlay converted.
17 – 51.
Good work from Jaryd Bennett brought play into the Instonians twenty-two.
Although Inst gained possession they fumbled the ball and when Stuart
McCloskey was held Derek Hall was on hand to take the ball over for the last
try of the match in the seventy-second minute. McCloskey converted.
17 – 58
A good opening performance by Dungannon with the entire squad contributing
to the win. Scrums were good, Paul McCarroll provided a good lineout and
Craig Miller was the unsung worker in the pack. The back row was excellent.
Jason Bloomfield was hungry and the backs were impressive with newcomers,
Jaryd Bennett, Paul McKenzie, David Egner and Mark O’Shea playing a
significant part in the win.
Next Saturday we are at home to Malone and Justin Fitzpatrick emphasised
that we must look ahead. “The win over Inst is history now, Malone always
give us a difficult game and they will be smarting after being beaten by
Quins. We have a talented squad, and that is what it is, a squad. It is a
long season and we shall need everybody to contribute over the next eight
plus months if we are to retain our Ulster titles and go one better in the
All Ireland competitions.”
Team: Mark O’Shea. Michael Lawton, Paul McKenzie, Paul Magee, David Egner.
Kieran Campbell, Jason Bloomfield. Glen Sinnamon, Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar.
Paul McCarroll, Craig Miller. Derek Hall, Rowan Halsall, Timothy Smith.
Steven Sinnamon, Ben Howard, Philip Hall, Jaryd Bennett, Stuart McCloskey.
Referee: Oisin Quinn (Rainey OB)
Tries: Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar, Michael Lawton, Paul McKenzie, Stuart
McCloskey, Mark O’Shea, Jason Bloomfield, David Egner & Derek Hall.
Conversions: Michael Lawton (2) & Stuart McCloskey (3).
Penalty: Michael Lawton
