Randalstown proved on Saturday afternoon that it is possible to outrun the long arm of the law! It was the only possible way as the ‘Town team couldn’t hope to out muscle their much sturdier opponents and they stuck to the task running out deserved winners on the day. Having defeated PSNI at Neillsbrook early in the season it was now an absolute priority for ‘Town to repeat that feat in this top of the table clash and further their cause for overall victory in Qualifying 3. This leaves Randalstown 4 points clear in the league and well focused on the job in hand in the forthcoming weeks. The team has in recent weeks shown that they are extremely capable of playing rugby for the full eighty minutes and enjoying the dividends it has paid, but on Saturday afternoon there was no need for any last minute comeback as they put some daylight between themselves and the opposition early on. An excellent defensive display ensured that the lead was maintained and then in the closing stages again they cut loose to add the final gloss to a polished performance.
In sharp contrast to last week there was no wind to speak of at Newforge on Saturday afternoon, although the pitch was wet underfoot in patches. Randalstown started brightly with several forays into opposition territory from the kick off. Coulter gathered an initial high punt well and combined with McWhirter to push the visitors well donw into the PSNI 22 but they couldn’t gain any real advantage until about 10 minutes later when Millar claimed the first try of the afternoon when he was in close support of Foster who almost made it himself initially. O’Kane slotted over the conversion and ‘Town were up and running.
Shortly after this having dealt very effectively with the opposition’s restart Laverty placed a nice ball up the line and the home defence had no option but to trundle it into touch as he had Daryl McGarry breathing down his neck. The ‘Town lineout was functioning well and Finlay found Henry who makes it look easy off the top of the lineout. Good clean ball allowed ‘town to race up the middle where they forced a penalty for foul play. O’Kane converted and extended the lead to 10-0.
The next restart was a slightly different tale and it saw Randalstown on the back foot for the first time in the game and quickly pinned down inside their 5 yard line. PSNI were awarded a penalty and opted for the scrum having had slightly the upper hand in the opening few scrummages. The were therefore unprepared for ‘Town picking that moment to get their scrummaging act together and push them back, not only in that but in 2 successive efforts, eventually winning a penalty and clearing their lines.
After some aerial ping pong and fairly static play Dan Wilson gathered and made ground up the middle of the park. Alex Fleck was on hand to carry on and he slipped through the home defence to find Wilson again in support to finish the move. The conversion rebounded off the left upright, which has proved to be the bane of O’Kane’s life this season but as half time approached ‘town had a decent cushion at 15 – 0.
PSNI however weren’t going to dance to Randalstown’s tune and with seconds to go to the end of the half they worked their way down the line to score in the corner. The difficult conversion from out wide was slotted over and the deficit cut as the whistle went.
It was 10 minutes into the second half before the scoreboard was further troubled. From a penalty ‘Town opted for territory and Gary Hume was up well to secure the ball and find Blayne McGarry. McGarry cut through the home defence and touched down.
The next twenty minutes saw ‘Town with plenty of possession, but they were also forced to put in some hard defensive work to keep the home side at bay. Eventually some good work by Wilson allowed Laverty to gather and sheer determination and bulk took him in under the posts leaving a straightforward conversion for O’Kane.
That was enough to secure victory but ‘Town were determined from the restart that they weren’t quite finished and Ryan McGarry picked up inside his own 22 and raced down the pitch and under the posts for a fine individual effort and that final gloss. Again O’Kane added the conversion.
There is an air of anticipation in the Randalstown ranks at this time, and the sizeable travelling support would certainly indicate that this is a team now expected to win when they take to the park. Coach Stevenson has undoubtedly been putting in some hard work with his pack as the scrummaging technique improves week on week. The ‘Town pack are punching well above their weight. The backs, encouraged by Stevenson’s assistant Murray, are a pleasure to watch at times.
Such was the team effort today that it would again be impossible to select any individual. Gary Hume caught the eye for some excellent rucking, defending and lineout work. Dan Wilson as always gave one hundred percent and Gareth Henry linked well with Finlay in the lineout to ensure ‘Town had a good supply of clean quick ball.
Team: Coulter, McWhirter, D McGarry, B McGarry, R McGarry, Laverty, O’Kane, Adair, Finlay, Foster (Capt) J Millar, Henry, Hume, A Fleck, Wilson.
Next week Randalstown will host Belfast High School at Neillsbrook in the league, while the 2nd XV entertain Dungannon 4s in the Forster Cup. It should be an entertaining afternoon’s rugby and all support will be warmly welcomed. The clubhouse will be open and the afternoon’s six nations game will be on the big screen although doubtless the superior entertainment will be on the Neillsbrook pitches.
Pics are:
scrum
Dan Wilson going for his try
Gary Hume & Gareth Henry in the lineout
Laverty clearing the lines
Alex fleck
