Junior League ~ 3rd XV vs Lisburn (39 – 3)
Dungannon IIIs go marching on at the top of the Junior League. At Stevenson Park they registered five tries against third placed Lisburn before running out 39-3 winners. Gareth Graham, who had a good day at the tee, struck with a penalty on three minutes. Lisburn bounced back and competed well before Andrew Holmes broke from defence to take play to the opposite end. A scoring chance was spoiled when the ball rolled into touch. Dungannon were already looking the better side but needed a little more control. And it all started with a five metre lineout drive. The visitors held the initial thrust but across the park big Stephen Donaghy moved forward to act as provider for Simon Potter. Graham popped over the conversion on twenty-three minutes. The latter then extended the Dungannon lead to thirteen points with his second penalty on the half hour.
13 – 0 CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES
Closer to the interval Lisburn pressed hard on the Dungannon line and when the home side kicked clear there was to be a little amusement. A Lisburn back row man, who was off the park for attention to a blood injury, spotted the danger and rushed on to the field to stem the tide. He was duly penalised for his effort and from that moment Dungannon raced away with the ball; it was the direct running Mark Faloon who finished the move at the posts. Gareth Graham added the simple extras to leave Dungannon well ahead at the break.
20 – 0
Two minutes into the second half Dungannon struck again when Andrew Holmes broke clear to send Jerome McClure darting in at the corner. Graham converted with a superb kick.
27 – 0
Richard Holmes then sent a delicate chip to the hands of McClure but the winger was deemed offside. Come fifty-five minutes the game was virtually over as a contest when Stephen Donaghy roared off towards the post and set up Simon Potter for his brace of tries. Gareth Graham did the needful.
34 – 0
Midway through the final quarter Jonny Smith scored Dungannon’s fifth try with a bit of artful footwork.
39 – 0
However the final say went to Lisburn’s Ryan Hill who landed a massive drop goal with the final kick of the game.
39 – 3
Needless to say the boys were pleased with this win over a significant rival, although they were disappointed not to get to Ballymena to see the game there pack leader Richard Holmes said the bonus point win was reward enough for him
Team: Andrew Holmes. Jonny Toal, Mark Faloon, Jonathan Smith (Capt), Jerome McClure. Gareth Graham, David Spence. Steven Gavin, Simon Potter, Stephen Donaghy. Christopher Williamson, Richard Holmes, Philip McCammon, Mark McFarland, Peter Keightley,
Referee: Michael Cairnduff (Rainey OB)
Tries: Simon Potter (2), Mark Faloon, Jerome McClure & Jonathan Smith
Conversions: Gareth Graham (4)
Penalties: Gareth Graham (2)
Forster Cup 4th XV vs Omagh (17 – 15)
There was a rugged Forster Cup encounter at Stevenson Park. A tight match was anticipated with scores of 12-7 and 3-0 in the cup semi-finals last season and the prediction proved to be correct with Dungannon edging out Omagh by two points 17-15.
The home side missed out with an early penalty before a notable break by Cormac Convery paved the way for a Jeremy Baird try. Richard Wright fired over the conversion after twelve minutes.
7 – 0
Omagh hit back three minutes later with a Ryan Scott try that went unconverted.
7 – 5
Stephen Ward and Ricky Wright then swapped penalties on twenty-eight and thirty minutes respectively.
10 – 8.
Ricky Wright then drew a round of applause from the Dungannon supporters when he single handed foxed the Omagh defence before running in at the posts. His conversion gave the home side a nine point cushion.
17 – 8
Dungannon almost had another try but Philip Hall’s break came to naught as the half ended.
Despite the best efforts of Chris Holland, Gareth Lucas and Adam Boyle there was to be no further scoring in an evenly contested third quarter.
However, Dungannon suffered a turnover in the sixty-fifth minute and Omagh quickly moved forward for Gareth Lyons to score. Stephen Ward added the extras and just two points separated the sides.
17 – 15
The final fifteen minutes proved to be a ‘ding dong’ battle and with neither side adding points Dungannon held on for a narrow but deserved 17-15 win.
Skipper, Julian Knipe was delighted with the win saying, “I see Omagh as a bench mark for us, that’s the third time we have won out in three very very close Cup games”.
Team:.Cormac Convery, Geoffrey Blair, Philip Hall, Steven Martin, Kevin McElduff. Richard Wright, Julian Knipe (Capt). Ally Moore, Adam Boyle, Darran Lucas. Gareth Lucas, Clive Weir. Jeremy Baird, Marc Lawson, Christopher Holland..
Referee: David McAllister (Carrick)
Tries: Jeremy Baird & Richard Wright, .
Conversions: Richard Wright (2)
Penalties: Richard Wright
Drop Goal:
