Coleraine produced a dominating display of rugby when Dromore came to town on Saturday, winning 36-9 and picking up a bonus point into the bargain.
It was a reversal of the defeat in October at Dromore and Richard Kernohan’s men made no major errors as they stamped their authority on proceedings this time round. They took the lead early on and in the second half secured a valuable bonus point, closing the gap to fifth placed Portadown to one point.
The squad will be bolstered by the performance and it will give them some confidence as they meet league topping Clogher Valley on Tuesday, 28 February, in a rearranged fixture to be played under lights at Coleraine. The coach has targeted this match as an opportunity to show the strength of the side which so nearly took victory in Tyrone earlier in the season.
On Saturday Coleraine took an early lead when David Andrews popped the ball to Brian Cochrane just into the Dromore 22 on 14 minutes. He cut a great line through the Dromore defence and scored under the posts. Andrews converted to give a 7-0 lead.
Ten minutes later Cochrane again scored. A period of strong Coleraine forward play brought them close to the line. With the defence tied up the ball moved swiftly out to Cochrane on an overlap and he scored in the corner. The conversion was just wide.
Dromore were not cowed. Five minutes later they fought their way inside the Coleraine 22 and Stewart was on target with the first of three penalties in the latter part of the first half.
The visitors kept up the pressure and two further forays into Coleraine territory yielded penalties, one converted by Stewart and another from the half way line converted by Steenson. The score at the break was 12-9 to Coleraine.
Within three minutes of the restart Coleraine scored again. A concerted Coleraine attack again set the scene for the ball to cross the backline, setting up Alan Gourley for a score in the corner. The conversion was just off target.
Eight minutes into the half Coleraine were again encamped on the Dromore lines. From a five metre scrum Kenny Calladine picked and drove over the line to score, again unconverted.
With ten minutes left Calladine again scored as he forced his way over the line from a lineout deep in Dromore territory. Andrews claimed the extras.
Five minutes later Niall Irwin made a spirited break through the Dromore defence, popped the ball to David Ferguson as he was tackled, setting the hooker up for a score under the posts. Andrews converted bringing the final score to Coleraine 36 Dromore 9.
In a final twist to the game a bemused Andrews was yellow carded with only a few minutes to go, after a Coleraine infringement and some discussion with the referee.
In the end it was a good day for Coleraine and the side are now looking forward to next Tuesday’s encounter with Clogher Valley, kick off 7.45pm. There is no game for the Firsts this weekend.
The Seconds had no game at the weekend, the opposition pitch being waterlogged. This weekend, 25 February, they take on Bangor Seconds in the Crawford Cup, at home, a match well worth supporting, so some along, lend your support and enjoy a great game.
In the only other game at the weekend Coleraine Thirds lost out to Bangor Seconds 12-16.
Coleraine First XV: S Jefferson, D Ferguson, M Hunter, W Hunt, P Bogle (Stirling), S Dickey, A Neely, K Calladine, S Simpson, G Jordan (Van Wyk), A Gourley, D Andrews, D Orr, N Irwin, B Cochrane. Subs: A Stirling, T Van Wyk
Match Stats
Starting team
1 Stephen Jefferson
2 David Ferguson
3 Mark Hunter
4 Peter Bogle
5 William Hunt
6 Stephen Dickey
7 Andrew Neeley
8 Kenny Calliden
9 Stuart Simpson
10 Greg Jordan
11 Nial Irwin
12 David Andrews
13 David Orr
14 Alan Gourley
15 Brian Cochrane
Subs Played
16 A Stirling
17 Tommy Van Wyk
Score summary
Time Player Score
5 Brian Cochrane Try
6 David Andrews Conversion
15 Brian Cochrane Try
45 Alan Gourley Try
55 Kenny Calliden Try
60 Kenny Calliden Try
61 David Andrews Conversion
70 David Ferguson Try
71 David Andrews Conversion
