Banbridge 3 16 – 26 Dungannon 3XV
Dungannon III garnered a useful brace of points when they dropped in at Banbridge on Saturday. Wayne Burrows and hooker, Daniel Maxwell scored the tries. The immaculate right boot of Ben Kennedy converted both tries and four penalties.
Team: Wayne Burrows. Cormac Convery, Steven Liggett, Philip Hall, John O’Neill. Ben Kennedy, Richard Wright. Liam Currie, Daniel Maxwell, Owen Mallon. Fergal Mallon, Adam Booth. Mark McFarland, Gordon Stewart, Steven Donaghy. Referee: Shane Toolan (Ballyshannon)
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Dungannon 1XV 23 – 19 City of Derry
Dungannon landed a piece of much needed Christmas cheer on Saturday when they toppled Ulster League leaders, City of Derry at a grey and greasy Stevenson Park. The visitors looked lively from the start but it was Dungannon who started the scoreboard ticking when Jake Finlay fired over a penalty on the 8th minute. After the restart Finlay launched a ‘garryowen’ and when Derry spilled the ball it was hacked through the visitors defence by Jaryd Bennett. Mark Faloon plucked the ball cleanly and dive passed to the supporting Steven Sinnamon who raced in at the posts. Finlay added the simple extras and the home side went 10 points clear in as many minutes. It was time for Derry to hit back and when the back line backed themselves, David Funston found a gap before darting in for Andrew Semple to convert on 13 minutes. However, with the Dungannon front row of Mark Farquhar and the Sinnamon brothers, Glen and Steven in good form, the Derry pack began to creak. A penalty was awarded and Finlay hit the target on 15 minutes to make it 13-7. Semple miscued a penalty on 20 minutes but it was the Dungannon pack that controlled affairs during the second quarter. Steven Sinnamon and Derek Hall appeared to be on their way for tries as the scrummage problems persisted. With no further scoring it remained 13-7 at the break.
Derry kicked off the second half before a ‘knock on’ saw Jonny Toal challenge for possession. The visitors survived and when Faloon fielded a long downfield kick he tried to run from defence. Derry halted the danger and then held ground before Semple misguided another penalty attempt. He was guilty of a third miss minutes later before his back line made amends with a meaningful run that saw Peter Henderson enter the line before sending winger, David Graham away. Semple added the difficult conversion to put Derry one point ahead on the hour mark. It was time for Dungannon to hit back going into the final quarter. A penalty lineout was deemed not straight and once more the visiting pack came under pressure. A penalty award then allowed Finlay to regain the lead for Dungannon, 16-14 on 68 minutes. With the home side back on the front foot Hall, Finlay and Steven Sinnamon made a significant break down the blind side. The Derry defence held firm but minutes later could not prevent Paul Magee crashing over following a break from Mark Jenkinson. Finlay kept his 100 % record at the tee with a fine conversion to make it 23-14 on 73 minutes. Derry replied with a riposte and the industrious Henderson was rewarded with a try on 76 minutes. Dungannon still led by four points but try as they might the visitors could get no closer and the game ended, 23-19.
Team: Mark O’Shea, Darren Simpson, Mark Faloon, Paul Magee, Peter Cashel, Jaryd Bennett, Jake Finlay. Glen Sinnamon, Steven Sinnamon, Mark Farquhar Paul McCarroll, Mark Jenkinson. Derek Hall, Jonathan Gordon, Timothy Smith. Simon Potter, Charlie Sargaison, Richard Holmes, Alan Cummings, Jonny Toal. Referee: Oisin Quinn (Randalstown)
