Still reeling after their 19-10 defeat at the hands of Skerries two weeks ago Armagh were resolute in their quest to re-establish their winning form. Navan had formed a very strong reputation this season. Especially having defeated a strong Nenagh Ormond side 22-16 two weeks previously they were certainly not going to be a pushover. The sheer size of the pack as they warmed up was enough to strike fear into the bravest opposition!
Armagh kicked off in bright sunshine with the temperature hovering at 5 degrees. The home side immediately made their intentions clear as the settled in the Navan 22. However, was this to be a repeat of their saga in Skerries when they spent the first 25 minutes of the game attacking the opposition line but all to no avail? Indeed this was not to be the case as flanker, Mark Riddell forced his way over the Navan line from the base of a ruck to open the scoring. The conversion went wide, but a five point lead after only nine minutes play was more tha encouraging for the Armagh team’s morale.
Armagh were dominating all aspects of the game at this point when, from the base of a ruck the Navan scrum half broke loose and touched down just left of the posts. The visiting out half Louis Jose Rodriguse, landed the conversion to put the visitors 5-7 ahead.
Immediately Armagh struck back at Navan when right winger, Josh Morton, kicked ahead and just failed to touch down! The quality of Armagh’s bcks showed when right-winger, Andrew Willis, fielded a loose ball just outside his own 22 and evaded four defenders to touch down a beautiful try just left of the posts. This time the luck was with the home side as Matthew Steenson’s conversion brushed the post and dropped the correct side of the cross-bar! The first half ended with another home try when Man of The Match, Simon Carlisle, grounded a ball from a beautifully controlled rolling maul. The conversion fell short to leave the half time score at 17-7.
The second half kicked off with Armagh leaving both Johnny Clarke and Josh Morton on the bench due to injuries. Not to be outdone by Simon Carlisle’s try in the first half Tight-head prop, Andrew Fletcher, made a fine break and just failed to score one of his signature tries!
With the light failing it became necessary to turn on the floodlights and a short rain shower threatened to spoil a fine, ope game of rugby. One highlight of the second half was when stand-in out-half, Richard Reaney launched the most perfect rifled kick from inside his own 22. The kick landed on the opposition 22 and bounced perfectly into touch. The smiles on the Armagh forwards faces were, indeed, unforgettable.
The second half then settled into a tight muscular struggle as both packs struggled to exert control. The game was drawing to a close when Armagh were penalised four minutes from the final whistle for failing to release the ball after a tackle. The Navan second row stepped up and landed the kick to secure a losing bonus point!
The final score 17-10 could be considered a fair reflection of the game. Armagh were the more committed side with a lighter more mobile pack but it proved exhausting to prove this point!
When all is said and done the win elevated Armagh one league position to share sixth position with Barnhall. Navan However, are snapping at their heels in seventh spot! Next weeks trip to Drogheda to play Boyne will prove interesting.
