2nd XV vs Banbridge (33 – 3)
2 XV League
Dungannon IIs looked confident in attack and defence when they took the spoils on a 5 nil try tally at Rifle Park. Banbridge had first use of the diagonal breeze but it was Dungannon who threatened in the first minute. Paul McCarroll collected the ball at the lineout before sending Tim Smith on a burst. The Bann defence held firm before their pack put pressure on the Dungannon line. However, their hopes of an early lead were dashed when a thumping tackle from McCarroll halted the threat. At the other end Brian Simpson was unlucky not to score following a dash up the right wing. Come the thirteenth minute the scoreboard was set in motion. Stuart McKenzie broke clear of a maul and his offload to Phil Whyte saw the latter complete the move. 0 – 5
Two minutes later McKenzie broke again, this time the ball was moved left for Stuart Lester to send the flying David Egner in at the posts. John McGuckin converted to send Dungannon twelve points clear.
0 – 12
The Bann defence tightened up after that and Clarke McAllister gave the home side a lift when he fired over a penalty midway through the half.
3 – 12
Honours were even in a hard fought second quarter with Egner and Paul Jackson going close for Dungannon. The half ended with Bann down to 14 men courtesy of a yellow card.
Bann started the second half with a flourish and it took a whopping tackle from Phil Whyte to stop a try in the right hand corner. The home pack, amidst a fierce hail storm, then pummelled the Dungannon line for a full eight minutes. All credit to the Visitors pack they withstood the offensive before the ball was cleared downfield. The Dungannon backs then showed their class when Brian Simpson rounded the defence for a try that John McGuckin converted on fifty-four minutes.
3 – 19
Five minutes later, McGuckin created space before sending Mark O’Shea away with the former adding the extras.
3 – 26
Dungannon were now cruising but final say went to scrum-half, David Spence who sold an outrageous ‘dummy’ before touching down half way out. Again, John McGuckin converted and Dungannon ran out worthy winners.
3 – 33
Team: Darren Simpson. Brian Simpson, Stuart Lester, Mark O’Shea, David Egner. John McGuckin, David Spence. Philip Whyte, Paul Jackson, Ben Howard. Rodney Blair, Paul McCarroll. Neil McGinley, Stuart McKenzie, Timothy Smith (Capt).
Referee: Brian McLawrence (Donaghadee)
Tries: Philip Whyte, Brian Simpson, David Egner, Mark O’Shea & David Spence.
Conversions: John McGuckin (4)
Penalties:
3rd XV vs Ballynahinch (45 – 3)
Magners Junior League
Dungannon IV 45 Ballynahinch IV 3
The game was played in variable conditions,” four seasons in one afternoon.” Nevertheless Dungannon ran in seven tries with Johnny Toal adding four to his season’s total.
Dungannon opened the scoring after fifteen minutes. Mark Salley took the ball through a gap before drawing the fullback and sending Jonny Toal away behind the posts. Plunkett McCallon converted.
7 – 0
Shortly after the Dungannon backs pressurised the Hinch backs, when the Visitor’s were forced to kick Jonny Toal charged the kick down, collected the ball and scampered over for a try again converted by Plunkett.
14 – 0
Although Ballynahinch kicked a penalty when Gannon infringed another Toal run brought play up to the Hinch twenty-two. When the ball was recycled the magnificent Jonny Smith was stopped short but big Stevie Donaghy was there to take ball and a couple of defenders over the line. Plunkett McCallon converted.
21 – 3
Second half saw Jerome McClure get his name on the score sheet when the pack took the ball up field the ball came to Jonny Toal who sent Jerome away a good try. .
26 – 3
Jonny Toal got his hat trick when Jonny Smith fielded a kick and started a move that went through half a dozen pairs of hands before Jerome McClure made good ground and when he was stopped the ball was flashed to Toal who scored the try of the match. Jonny then went on to score a fourth try. Plunkett converted both.
40 – 3
The scoring was rounded off by Jerome McClure when he used his pace and acceleration to race over.
45 – 3
A Good win for the boys but they know it will be much tougher next week when they host Hinch IIIs in the Crawford Cup.
Team: Jonathan Smith. Jonny Toal, Mark Faloon, Andrew Caddoo, Jerome McClure. Mark Salley, Rory Patton. Stephen Donaghy, Kirby Hamilton, Darran Lucas. Plunkett McCallon, Richard Holmes, David Irwin, Simon Potter, Peter Keightley,
Referee: Mark Orr (Dromore)
Tries: Jonny Toal (4), Stephen Donaghy & Jerome McClure (2).
Conversions: Plunkett McCallon (5)
Penalties:
