2nd XV vs Queen’s (44 – 7)
2nd XV League
This was a very open game played on one of the pitches at the impressive new facilities at The Dub. Dungannon scored eight tries, in truth they missed another three or four as did Queen’s thanks to some careless handling but it was a good afternoon’s entertainment for the spectators.
Dungannon opened the scoring at the kick off when Stuart Lester and Darren Simpson fed Mark O’Shea who showed the defence a clean pair of heels as he raced away for a try.
0 – 5
After ten minutes intense Dungannon pressure resulted in a clearance being charged down. Darren Simpson gained possession and flipped the ball to the charging Phil Whyte who went over for the try.
0 – 10
The Dungannon pack were now controlling possession and when they disrupted a Queen’s scrum Alan Cummings pounced to feed Stuart McCloskey who powered over for a try on twenty-five minutes. Jaryd Bennett converted.
0 – 17
Dungannon eased back and Queen’s put together some good phases, missing two penalties before Gannon got their fourth try. After messing up a scoring opportunity the pack drove and when the ball was recycled it reached the safe hands of Peter Smith who went over after thirty-two minutes.
0 – 22
Queen’s then put on some concerted pressure and deserved their reward when centre Robbie Stewart ran strongly to make the line after thirty-seven minutes. Richard McMaster converted.
7 – 22
Some good running from the Gannon backs and forwards came to naught until six minutes into the half when the Simpsons scored. A break by Jaryd Bennett found Darren Simpson on the burst, when he passed to his elder brother; Brian neatly stepped inside and went over for the try.
7 – 27
We were treated to some good breaks involving Jaryd Bennett, Stuart McCloskey and Mark O’Shea plus some ground making grunt work from Messrs, Sinnamon, Whyte, Jackson and McCarroll before Stuart McCloskey got possession in daylight and went over for a try on seventy-three minutes.
7 – 32 .
Two minutes later another Bennett break found the tireless Rowan Halsall in support, Rowan ran over for a try to the left of the posts.
7 – 37
Yet another fine break from Jaryd Bennett gave Mark O’Shea the chance to race away for his second try of the afternoon. Stuart McCloskey’s conversion was successful.
7 – 44
A good win for the seconds although they will admit they left plenty of points on the pitch.
Team: Stuart Lester. Darren Simpson, Mark O’Shea, Stuart McCloskey, Brian Simpson, Jaryd Bennett, Rowan Halsall. Philip Whyte, Paul Jackson, Ben Howard. Rodney Blair, Paul McCarroll. Steven Sinnamon, Alan Cummings, Peter Smith (Capt).
Referee: Stuart Douglas (Instonians)
Tries: Mark O’Shea (2), Philip Whyte, Stuart McCloskey (2), Peter Smith, Brian Simpson, & Rowan Halsall
Conversions: Jaryd Bennett & Stuart McCloskey
Penalties:
3rd XV vs Dromore (36 – 9)
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Junior League
Dungannon IIIs kept their league title aspirations very much alive with another sound win on the road. Honours were fairly even in the first half with the visitors holding a single point lead over Dromore at the interval. However, with breeze advantage in the second half Dungannon moved into top gear to register five tries for a convincing 36-9 win.
Dromore started strongly with their big pack keeping possession for out-half, Craig Williams to make ground with the boot. The visitors defended well though and at times there were notable counter attacks from Gareth Graham, Jonny Toal and Barry Donnelly. On fifteen minutes Dungannon suffered a setback with Keith Blevins forced off with a sprained ankle. Dromore held field position and Williams hit the target with a penalty to give the home side a lead midway through the half.
3 – 0
With Richard Holmes and Declan Treanor excelling in the lineouts Dungannon soon asked questions of the Dromore defence. Kyle Thompson then drove close to the line before Mark Faloon forced his way over at the posts. Robin McCleary converted on the half hour.
3 – 7
Dromore responded with a Williams penalty but it was Dungannon who controlled the remainder of the half with Philip McCammon going close.
6 – 7
Five minutes into the second half a good lineout take by Richard Holmes ended with Peter Keightley diving over.
6 – 12
Back came Dromore and it took a timely clearance by Robin McCleary to save the Dungannon line. The home side did get something from the visit though when Williams popped over his third penalty to leave Dromore just three points adrift.
9 – 12
However, two minutes later there was to be a ’charge down’ and Rory Patton quickly gathered to score in the corner after fifty-five minutes with Robin McCleary converting.
9 – 19
The issue was then sealed in the final quarter with the Dungannon adding three tries. On sixty-five minutes a Treanor lineout take paved the way for a Philip McCammon try.
9 – 24
Jonny Toal then rounded the Dromore defence after seventy minutes for a fine try.
9 – 29
Then the final say went to the industrious Declan Treanor who touched down following good handling by the forwards. Prop McCleary converted and the referee sounded the final whistle.
9 – 36
The team showed seven changes from last Saturday and had several players out of position but still produced a good display. Team Manager Gareth McMullan was happy, “This was a good team effort, despite losing Keith Blevins in the first quarter the pack produced a very disciplined performance against a big Dromore eight.”
Team: Barry Donnelly. Jerome McClure, Mark Faloon, Jonathan Smith, John Toal. Gareth Graham, Rory Patton. Kyle Thompson, Neil McGinley, Robin McCleary. Declan Treanor, Keith Blevins. Philip McCammon, Peter Keightley, Richard Holmes.
Referee: Adrian Millar
Tries: Mark Faloon, Peter Keightley, Rory Patton, Philip McCammon, Jonny Toal & Declan Treanor
Conversions: Robin McCleary (3)
Penalties:
4th XV vs Grosvenor (8 – 3)
Junior League
Julian Knipe was like a dog with two tails after this win against unbeaten Grosvenor. “Despite some last minute withdrawals the boys stepped up to the mark well. I am very appreciative of those who played at short notice, especially Derek McMullan.”
The watching Derek Hall commented that the Mad Dog made a forty metre break and had he tried a side step on the fullback instead of a Maori Kiss he might have made the line. Derek admitted that there was not enough petrol in the tank for any fancy footwork at that stage of the game.
The first half was very tight with the battle fought out up front. Grosvenor hit the post on one occasion in the first half but it was Gannon who got on to the score sheet first. A bit of inspirational play by Andrew Caddoo bamboozled two Grosvenor players and allowed him to dive over for a try after thirty minutes.
0 – 5
The second half was again tight with Dungannon just having the upper hand, After sixty-five minutes the immaculate Ricky Wright converted a penalty that gave Gannon a morsel of comfort.
0 – 8
In the penultimate minute Grosvenor’s Andrew McConville kicked a penalty.
3 – 8
This was really the last act of the game and Dungannon were very happy with their afternoon’s work at Belmont. Another two points on the road.
Team: Mark Salley. Paraic Martin, Jordan Patterson, Peter Kennedy, Kevin McElduff. Mark Salley, Julian Knipe (Capt). Stephen Donaghy, Ally Moore, Darran Lucas. Gareth Lucas, Derek McMullan. Fergal Mallon, Andrew Caddoo, Christopher Holland.
Referee: Marcus Malley
Tries: Andrew Caddoo.
Conversions:
Penalties: Richard Wright
