At a dry, calm but chilly Chambers Park, possibly the biggest crowd of the group stages to date gathered for the crunch clash between two sides who could both qualify for the semi final stage. Johnny Gillespie (Ulster Branch talent ID manager) was as usual keeping an eye on talent already identified while always on the lookout for others to put their hand up.
The opening exchanges saw Randalstown on the attack with fly half Colm Griffen mixing the game up to ask early questions of the Armagh defence. Attempts to gain territory were negated by messy line out play from both sides causing several turn overs.
Eventually a penalty allowed Armagh out half Cormac Fox to relieve the pressure and put his side on the offensive. Some good play in the last third almost led to the opening score but a knock on by an Armagh back with the line at his mercy kept the score board blank.
Fox then knocked a penalty into the corner for Ryan Morton to secure possession and set up a rolling maul which Randalstown defended really well. Armagh centre Michael Orr then produced a great side step and off load in the Randalstown 22 to put flanker James Wright through but he was brought down just metres short and managed to recycle well – with a three man overlap the chance was spurned with another knock on.
Eventually the Armagh pressure was rewarded on 15 mins when Orr again dummied and stepped through the defence and found he was clear to the line. The try was converted by Fox.
Virtually from the kick off Armagh produced a fine piece of continuity with Ryan Morton stepping and linking with his hooker James Rolston who in turn found No 8 Barry Finn on the right touch line and the pacey back rower made the 30m to the line. Fox goaled a difficult conversion to put Armagh 14-0 ahead.
Armagh completed their 7 min scoring blitz with a superbly executed try. From their own half, backs and forwards combined well with scrum half William Holden keeping pace on the attack with sharp accurate delivery at each breakdown. Having pulled the defenders out of position Cormac Fox recognised the space available wide and put in an excellent cross field kick pass which was comfortably fielded and finished by full back Shea O’Brian. Fox added the extras to create a commanding 21-0 lead.
Randalstown responded with great spirit a few minutes later. A turnover in their own 22 was moved by Griffen to full back Michael O’Connell who put away winger Josh Henry. The speedy winger then produced a magnificent piece of individual skill to firstly outpace the first would-be tacklers before kicking over the full back’s head, gathering and racing clear to the corner. A superb try!! The wide conversion was missed leaving a 21-5 gap.
Just before the interval Armagh were awarded a penalty in the opposition 22 for a breakdown infringement which Fox kicked to put them 24-5 ahead at the break.
Randalstown started the second period with a bang. Several good carries from forwards such as props Curtis Gay and Jack Hampton with support from flanker Stephen Carey gave them great go forward. This sucked in defenders and allowed them to go wide to flying winger Henry who almost produced a copy of his first half score. He was stopped just 3m short and referee David McAllister deemed the defensive work at the breakdown was illegal. Randalstown tapped the penalty awarded in front of posts and went wide to full back O’Connell who forced his way over for an unconverted try. At 24-10 it seemed game on again.
From the kick off Armagh quickly regained possession and moved the ball from one side to the other before Orr drew the last man and put supporting flanker Brad Green in at the corner. Gap restored to 29-10!
Within minutes an attempted attack from Randalstown‘s O’Connell was stopped by a good tackle from centre Evin Crummie. Aggressive counter rocking by Armagh won the turn over and when Orr saw the space vacated by the full back his attempt to kick and chase was thwarted by an obstruction. Fox took the points to put Armagh into what seemed to be a very comfortable 32-10 lead.
Again Randalstown responded. Near the end of the third quarter they pushed a penalty deep into the 22 but saw the lineout stolen by Morton (not his first!) The clearance kick did not make touch and when the ball came to centre Adam Johnston he produced a step and two dummies which baffled the Armagh defence and got him through for a super individual try which he converted himself. 32-17!
Armagh had now qualified with their 4 try bonus point but if Randalstown could score a fourth they too would go through. The next ten saw great attacking intent from both sides – Wright, Orr, Crummie, Morton and Fox prominent for Armagh and Daniel McGrandles, O’Connell, Johnston and Henry for Randalstown.
Armagh were bossing the lineouts while Randalstown dominated the scrums.
With 10 mins left on the clock it looked as if Randallstown’s bravery would be rewarded when they moved the ball across their backs from deep in the 22 to put the dangerous Henry away. Only a great cover tackle from Crummie saved the score.
A few mins later sharp long passes from Holden and Fox and quick hands from Orr put O’Brian away down the the touchline . He was well stopped in the 22 but Holden quickly got it away for Crummie to score an unconverted try.
At 37-17 the result was decided yet Randalstown continued to attempt to create the elusive fourth try. Alas to no avail despite further tap and goes from penalties.
An exciting and entertaining watch for the spectators- delight for Armagh and Rainey but disappointment for a gutsy Randalstown outfit.
Man of the match was awarded to Armagh scrum half William Holden for his almost faultless passing display by Nutty Krust stalwart Calvin (Sid) Rowe.
Once all were fed and watered the semi final draw was made by Nutty Krust organising committee members Alan Jardine and Paul Stevens.
Semi 1 12th April Armagh v Dromore
Semi 2 13th April Omagh v Rainey
