Qualifying League Two Bangor 10 v Omagh 34
Omagh survived a second half scare to play some very attractive rugby and leave Co. Down with a bonus point in a well deserved 34-10 victory and maintain their challenge for league honours.
In commend with a 20-3 lead playing against the elements, Bangor rocked the Accies with firstly a breakaway try under the posts and then put together a fine passage of play to create the opportunity out wide only to see the winger knock on with the line at his mercy. This could have left the score 20-17 and a very interesting last 20 minutes.
The Co. Tyrone men seized their opportunity, cleared their lines and played the rest pf the game in the opposition 22, driving home their advantage with two late tries.
Saturday represented the proverbial game of two halves with a huge wind blowing straight down the pitch at Upritchard Park saw a vast contrast in styles with both sides playing intelligent rugby when against the wind, and utilising the breeze when behind them.
Omagh were well worth the points and will be relieved they picked up no injuries ahead of a mouth-watering encounter at home next Saturday against Ballyclare in the next round of the Towns’ Cup.
Bangor are a stern proposition at home with a big pack and experienced backline which they used to full effect in the earlier encounter before Christmas when they played smart rugby to seal the win.
Their experience was a factor early on as they took the game to Omagh, using the wind well and going through their phases of play. Sustained pressure yielded a penalty and a 3-0 lead.
Phil Marshall’s men weathered the early pressure and gradually started to exert their own pressure. They kept the ball tight punching it upfield in small busts before releasing the backs, who in turn looked useful and made good round all afternoon.
The first score came from the tried and trusted forwards with the pack flexing their muscles to score a pushover try from 8 metres out with Richard Smyth touching down.
From the resulting kickoff, Omagh fielded the ball, worked their way up the pitch and the backs hatched a move which saw Ryan o ‘ Neill show his pace to score out wide.
Bangor were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes after the full back was sent to the sin bin after taking Mervyn Edgar out as he raced to collect a deft chip over the dame player. From the resulting play, the Co. Tyrone men looked slick behind the scrum with Alistair Beckett offloading inside to the supporting Neil Browne for the rangy centre to score his sides’ third try and take a 15-3 lead in to half time.
Feeling they had done the hard work, Omagh slackened off in the opening 20 minutes of the second half allowing Bangor to gat right back in the game. They used their forwards to punch up the middle before bringing the backline into play.
The Accies scored the nest try though. The home winger chased back to field a long punt and attempted to make touch on the far side of their field. Steffan Hamilton, who had a fine game in the lineout with the front jumper the only viable option in windy conditions, fielded the ball, fed Stephen Maclaine and the pacy winder drew the cover to feed Browne who skipped over for his second try.
The Upritchard park men hit back with a breakaway try, crafted by their wily out half, Jason Morgan. He made the initial break, chipped over David Ward at fullback, and though neither could field the ball, it bounced up into the hands of the supporting winger who dived over for a converted score.
Bangor suddenly got their tails up and crated a try scoring opportunity minutes later only for the winger to knock on with the line at his mercy. This was a massive point in the match which could have been much different in the last quarter had the opportunity been taken.
From the resulting scrum, Omagh played the territorial game punting it deep and chasing hard, meaning the home side would have to go the length of the field to score. Solid defence and a determination to see the match out saw Omagh repel any offensive moves and null any chances of a comeback.
Stephen Maclaine was rewarded for a solid game when he went over next following a neat move involving Beckett whose miss pass allowed Ward to utilise a 2 on 1 situation out wide and send MacLaine over. Ward added the conversion on a tough day for placekickers.
Richard Smyth opened and closed the scoring with a fine individual score following a scrum 30 metres out. He was dragged down by the home openside flanker but not held so he carried on and beat the cover defence for a well taken effort. Ward added the conversion.
This was a strong showing and keeps up Omaghs’ good form, with no injuries a bonus for Accies captain, Mervyn Edgar and coach, phil marshall, ahead of the Towns Cup tie next week.
Team: David Ward, Ryan O’ Neill, Neil Browne, Stuart McCain, Stephen Maclaine, Alistair Beckett, Jamie Lagan, Stephen Rutledge, Stephen Giboney, Mark Smyth, Steffan Hamilton, Johnny Giboney, Mervyn Edgar ©, Colin Lee, Richard Smyth
Omagh U17 win at Inishowen
After a heavy defeat at Donegal the previous week, Omagh U17 travelled to Carndonagh
Inishowen U17 (12) v Omagh U17 (21) January 21, 2012
After a heavy defeat at Donegal the previous week, Omagh U17 travelled to Carndonagh, Donegal to play Inishowen in a league match. An encouraging turnout at mid-week training allowed some useful skills to be honed and Omagh were in positive mood. Despite some stormy and cold weather predictions, a squad of 20 players showed the commitment now present in the Omagh team.
Unfortunately Inishowen, (as seems to be too common a problem) had only 12 players and their coach wanted to play a 12 aside league game – which appears to be acceptable under the league rules. This would have meant 8 players from Omagh not getting a game. After some discussion, the Omagh coaches persuaded Inishowen this was not a great example to young players who wanted to play and had travelled a long way to do so. However, the Inishowen coach (and match referee) reluctantly agreed to a 15 aside match with Omagh loaning their opposition 3 players. Despite this and in very poor playing conditions, the match turned out to be an entertaining affair.
On a pitch which was in particularly poor condition, Omagh started well with the wind and rain at their backs and the forwards provided good ball for the Omagh backs to kick down field into the Inishowen half. Good work from Barry Bradley pushed Omagh into attack. However, some handling mistakes and conceding penalties at the last moment meant Inishowen were able to hold out for most of the first half. Captain, Tom McNulty was leading by example and inspired his forwards with numerous driving runs, ably supported as usual by Gary Hunter and Freddie McDowell. In fact all the forwards were getting hands on the ball – prop Jordan Hetherington showed his side stepping skills, and Shane Gibson was at the bottom of most rucks doing the hard graft. When the opposition did get possession Kyle Arnold was immense in the tackle – a player who has come on in leaps and bounds and is now looking very comfortable in his back row position.
Omagh had to score with the elements or face a very tough second half, and after an excellent tackle from Ryan Stewart, Omagh gained possession. Fine play from Eoin Murnaghan – he was held up inches short after a good dummy, allowed the Omagh no 8 Lee McLaughlin to rumble over for a try and this was converted by McDowell.
Omagh were caught short from the restart and many players were finding the icy wind and rain difficult to bear – somehow Inishowen were able to make ground down the touchline despite the tackling of Stewart Craig, who has the pace of a winger but the strength of a flanker – he made several big hits but Inishowen scored in the corner and a rather questionable conversion meant the score was level at 7-7 at half time. Omagh faced the elements in the second half and needed to raise their game.
As sometimes happens the team facing the wind lift their game and Omagh did this in dramatic fashion with a non-stop driving game by the pack with Brannagh McCabe bursting up the wing and then being driven on by Shortt, Arnold and McNulty. When the ball went loose Freddie McDowell was always fist to the breakdown. The weather did improve allowing a bit more expansive rugby, and after several Omagh forward drives Murnaghan released Dylan Flanagan who drifted across field before Mark Devenney came on the angle to burst under the posts to score an excellent try. The try was converted to make it 14-7. The Omagh backline were now showing what they are capable off – big Joshua Ellis made a strong charge and his centre partner Devenney ran a good 70 yards to only be stopped inches short of the line. Reece Moore in his first match fulfilled the potential he has with searing run down his wing, again being foiled by a last ditch tackle. The Omagh pressure was relentless and more good work from Gavin McIlwaine, Oisin McCullagh and Ross Hawkes allowed captain McNulty to burst over in the corner to put Omagh out of sight and on a personal note cap his best performance of the season to date.
Inishowen were gifted a consolation try but Omagh then comfortably played out the last few minutes in the opposition half to secure the 2 points.
Omagh Team:
Jordan Hetherington, Gary Hunter, Shane Gibson, James Short, Brannagh McCabe, Freddie McDowell, Kyle Arnold, Tom McNulty, Eoin Murnaghan, Barry Bradley, Stewart Craig, Joshua Ellis, Mark Devenney, Reece Moore, Gavin McIlwaine, Dylan Flanagan, Ryan Stewart, Oisin McCullagh, Lee McLaughlin, Ross Hawkes
