Randalstown Rugby Club were like many saddened and shocked to hear of the tragic death of Nevin Spence, his father and brother on Saturday evening. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Nevin family circle and our prayers are with his sister Emma for a full and speedy recovery.
Many at Randalstown had the privilege of meeting Nevin recently during the Ulster Rugby Summer Camp held at the club. Paul Morriss from Randalstown youth section reflected on this.
“During the RRFC/Ulster Summer camp two Ulster players graced our wee playing fields – one of them being Nevin Spence. I was introduced to Nevin shortly before he went to meet the children at the camp and I instantly warmed to him, as he greeted me with wide smile and said hello. He was a confident young man with the world at his feet and was very keen to share his experiences of playing rugby at school and graduating to play for Ulster with all of the children and myself.
He never ducked out of any questions that were thrown at him from the children at the camp and he was easy to talk to, inspiring and hopeful of his future dreams – he commented that he wanted to play for Ireland and he was honoured and privileged to play for Ulster, and that he felt so lucky to have a job where he got paid to play rugby.
My lasting memory of Nevin will be him playing touch rugby with the U8’s (even though he carried a small knee injury) at the camp and getting side stepped by a young player from Randalstown, the smile on his face and the accompanying laughter lit up the faces of all the children.”
It was another mixed bag for the ‘Town teams on Saturday with only the 1st XV returning a victory and avenging their defeat at the hands of Carrick in the final of the Randalstown Tournament only a couple of weeks previously.
CARRICKFERGUS 1ST XV 24 RANDALSTOWN 1ST XV 37
Randalstown travelled to Carrick on Saturday with six cry offs in the backline panel but nevertheless fully confident that they had the personnel and the plan to do the job. In the event, this overconfidence was almost their undoing, because they were totally outplayed for the first ten minutes until they came to life. Luckily, at the end of this time they were only three points down, the pack put the machine in gear and Rab Fleck and John O’Kane started to take control of the game
In the first half Randalstown played against the slope and some breeze but it quickly became evident that their pack was far superior in conditioning, technique, organisation and skills, enabling them to dominate lineout, scrum, breakdown, ruck and maul. With this degree of superiority the result never looked in doubt, as Neil Paul thundered through the midfield scattering defenders in all directions. Plan A was unfortunately thrown off course after fifteen minutes when Paul, the stand-out player on the field, pulled a hamstring. Randalstown presently conceded a try when they were short of numbers in defence.
Randalstown, who had been majestic down the middle, now switched seamlessly to Plan B, which was to exploit their undoubted forward supremacy and take the ball through the pack. The front row of David Millar, Neil Foster and Johnny Adair produced an immense display of driving power in tight and loose, Gary Hume and James Millar did the grunt and much more, Liam Hurrell is a force of nature, Mark Payne grows in stature and confidence with every game and Dan Wilson is just Dan Wilson, merely adding the role of emergency defensive centre to everything else he does. Several times the seven men marched their opponents down the field in scrum and maul. In the re-jigged backline, the Smith brothers, Niall McGlade and Peter McWhirter were rock solid, while at half back Fleck and O’Kane did what they do so well. The defence against the extra man was aggressive and sound and no tackles were missed.
The story of the game is simple. After an anaemic start when Randalstown gave away a penalty, Mark Payne inspired with a magnificent number seven try, covering the ground to capitalize on a mistake at a quick throw in, and from this point the result was never in doubt, apart from the blip caused by the injury. Relentless forward driving gave the incomparable Liam Hurrell the try he deserved. David Millar capped the game of his life with a try through pure strength and will. At the break the score was 19-10. In the second half, John O’Kane and Johnny Adair produced their now normal sleight of hand and Johnny did a bit more this week to become top scorer and the Smith brothers combined to produce an excellent try. O’Kane converted three, one with a dropkick from the touchline, and added two more penalties to make his standard twelve point contribution.
With five minutes to go, the score was 37-10 and fully reflective of the play. Randalstown, perhaps feeling the job was done, took the foot off the pedal and shipped two tries to make the final result 37 – 24 including another bonus point.
Next week we go to Lisburn, respecting our opponents but confident of victory and assured in our commitment that this team leaves nothing on the pitch.
It is a long road but we are on the way!
Randalstown 2nd XV 13 Lurgan 2nd XV 29
Randalstown 2nds surprisingly went down 29-13 to a very strong Lurgan 2nd XV on Saturday afternoon at Neillsbrook.
The visitors started strongly demonstrating an organisation and ability which appeared to be a step above the level they are playing at. It was the home side however who opened the scoring with a Matty Turner penalty in the 11th minute from what was Randalstown’s first excursion into the Lurgan 22.
This lead was brief and Lurgan hit the homeside with 2 converted tries in the next 10 minutes as they took control of the game.
With about half an hour played Turner and his opposite number exchanged further penalties before ‘Town were reduced to 14 men with the loss of Phil Nelson to an ankle injury.
With the visitors now camped in the ‘Town half a further score seemed inevitable and on the half time whistle they went over with an unconverted try to stretch the score to 22-6.
The second half started in much the same vein with Lurgan very much on top. The home side were becoming more and more frustrated as every decision went against them and they struggled to piece together any sustained possession. It was therefore no surprise when Lurgan put further points on the board with another converted try.
Under the posts skipper Sammy Hyndman galvanised his troops and from the restart the home side tore into the visitors and enjoyed the upper hand for the last half hour.
The scrum, despite being a man down, gradually got on top and managed a couple of strikes against the head. The front row of Mowbray, Pedlow and Paine all deserve praise for their performances as an untried unit against formidable opposition.
A score came with about 8 minutes remaining from a steady scrum on the Lurgan 10 metre line. Turner stepped inside the visitor’s defence to break the gain line then recycled ball found Ian Hume at first receiver. The diminutive flanker powered through a couple of tackles to score a much deserved try. Turner added the extras.
Outside the encouraging front row performance flankers Hume and Harris were tireless in their efforts all afternoon. Veteran Adie Johnston was the pick of the back line with a fine defensive display and Turner produced a much improved performance.
Donaghadee 24 Randalstown 3rd XV 7.
Randalstown thirds were on their travels to face a strong Donaghadee side,unavailability of players up the club and the ‘knock on effect’ meant several positional changes had to be made prior to kick off.The ‘town’ started brightly and showed tremendous spirit and effort in the opening forty minutes and if not for the defensive prowess of the Dee defence would have thoroughly deserved to be in front at half time alas the first half ended pointless.The opening minutes of the second half was a tense affair with Donaghadee having strenghtened their side with some seasoned campaigners and it was they who opened the scoring with two well worked tries to go 12-0 ahead.An unfortunate injury to Joel Mulholland who was again outstanding at fullback le again to positional changes but the ‘town’ responded with Conor Ferry scoring a fine try after terrific work from the pack and indeed were very unlucky to add to their tally before conceding two further tries to leave the score Donaghadee 24 Randalstown 7.This was a most entertaining match for the spectator played in lovely conditions an example of how minor club rugby ought to be both on the pitch and in the clubhouse after,a great team spirit is evolving and augurs well for the season.New recruit Thomas Mc Cluskey had a super game at number8 turning over loads of possession and Chris ‘Ogie’ Mc Cann making a return to the club after seven years moving from his last role of fullback to second row where he formed a good partnership with another debutant John Mc Kay.Chris Mowbray at flanker and the front row trio of Ash Alan Spiers and Adam Upritchard worked tirelessly.Adam Service had a fine game along with scrum half David Frew. Team-Alan Spiers,Ashley Mc Clenaghan,Adam Upritchard,Chris Mc Cann,John Mc Kay,Conor Ferry,Chris Mowbray,Thomas Mc Cluskey, David Frew,Adam Service,Mark Mulholland,Shaun Mc Crory,Stuart Clyde,Michael Mc Keown and Joel Mulholland
Next week the 1st XV travel to Lisburn while the 2nd XV entertain Belfast High School 2nds at Neillsbrook.
