Ulster Bank All Ireland League
This was a terrific performance by Dungannon as they ran in five tries
against the men from the west. The bonus point win puts us one point behind
Belfast Harlequins. With two games to play we must maintain the form as we
strive for that one automatic promotion place.
Dungannon went on the offensive right from the start and would have scored
but the final pass failed to go to hand. The pressure was rewarded with a
penalty converted by Michael Lawton after seven minutes.
3 – 0
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Dungannon went on the attack from the restart and quick hands saw Stuart
McCloskey take advantage of the minute space provided to dive over after
nine minutes.
8 – 0
Dungannon’s assault was unrelenting and a series of phases ended when
Michael Lawton was denied a try by a foot in touch. Galwegians came into the
game more but intelligent play by Stuart McCloskey foiled a dangerous
situation. When Galwegians had a two on one Stuart delayed his tackle and
forced the ball carrier, Brian Murphy to delay and move inside. This gave
Michael Kirkwood the time he needed to tackle Murphy. Although Gannon ran
out of defence Wegians kept on the pressure and only a great tackle by James
McMahon stopped a dangerous situation on the Gannon right.
Dungannon then benefitted from a bit of quality play by Paddy Jackson. Paddy
completely wrong footed two defenders midfield thus creating a space that he
sent Paul McKenzie through. Paul broke away from inside his half up to the
Galwegians twenty-two before drawing a defender and offloading to the
supporting Paddy who ran away for the try converted by Michael Lawton on the
half hour.
15 – 0
Two minutes later we were treated to another special try. From the restart
Wegians went on the attack. Inside the Dungannon twenty-two their number 8
was tackled by James McMahon and spilled the ball. Conor Gaston collected
the ball and drove into two Galwegians players. He appeared out the other
side and accelerated through a clutch of players before reaching the halfway
where he was involved in a foot race with a Galwegians defender. Conor kept
the foot down and raced on before diving over for a wonder try on the right.
Michael Lawton converted with a fine kick.
22 – 0
Dungannon kept pressing but there was no more scoring before halftime.
Conor Gaston almost engineered a fourth try for Dungannon with another fine
run but it was Galwegians who were first to score second half when Tadgh
Leader kicked a penalty after Dungannon were guilty of holding at a ruck
near the posts. It was somewhat ironic as last time a similar event happened
in virtually the same place a Gannon was sin binned for doing exactly what
the Galwegians scrum half was dong in his attempts to release the ball.
22 – 3
Dungannon almost scored again when the pack broke through a lineout but with
the line five metres away and the defence in array a Gannon was adjudged to
have gone off his feet. On the hour mark some more good handling by
Dungannon saw Ali Birch’s determined run cut through the Galwegians
defence. Birchie was tackled on the twenty-two but offloaded to Michael
Lawton who did well to shrug off a tackle and keep ahead of the defenders to
dive over beside the posts for a self converted try and a bonus point that
was cheered by the Faithful.
29 – 3
Galwegians then pinned Dungannon in their own half and following a couple of
penalties took the play to the Hosts as they drove over for a try from
hooker Dermot Murphy. Leader converted after seventy-two minutes.
29 – 10
This setback was the signal for a final assault by Gannon. Whilst James
McMahon’s try was disallowed eventually following a series of scrums and
penalties ref Patton awarded Dungannon a penalty try converted by Lawton.
36 – 10
This proved to be the last act of the game.
This was another great performance from Dungannon, James McMahon who is
enjoying a fine vein of form was the man of the match but this was primarily
a team performance. All constituent parts performed well in both attack and
defence and the team was very well led by captain, Mark Jenkinson.
Next week we welcome Ballymena knowing that nothing less than a win will do
if we are to overhaul Quins at the top of the table.
On a statistical note following this game Dungannon became this season’s
leading points scorer in the Ulster Bank Leagues with 422 points, we have
also accumulated more try scoring bonus points, 9 than any other club.
Don’t forget next Saturday we need you at Stevenson Park or at Ravenhill.
Team: Conor Gaston. Michael Lawton, Paul McKenzie, Stuart McCloskey, Mark
O’Shea, Paddy Jackson, Jaryd Bennett, Jason Bloomfield, Michael Kirkwood.
Glen Sinnamon, Adam Duhig, Paul Jackson, Philip Whyte, Mark Farquhar,
Timothy Smith, Mark Jenkinson, Callum Threlfall, Rowan Halsall, James
McMahon, Ali Birch,
Referee: Mark Patton (Academy)
Tries: Stuart McCloskey, Paddy Jackson, Conor Gaston, Michael Lawton &
Penalty
Conversions: Michael Lawton (4)
Penalties: Michael Lawton
