Omagh avenged two earlier league defeats against Bangor on Saturday and progressed to the last eight
of the Towns Cup with a well deserved 22-8 victory at Thomas Mellon Playing Fields. A fine second half
performance put the Seasiders to the sword and kept up the Accies momentum with 6 wins out of the
last 7 games.
“It was one of our best performances all season”, confirmed a delighted Accies skipper, Mervyn Edgar,
before adding “we had shipped eighty odd points in the two previous matches so it was satisfying to
hold them to just eight. We put in a great defensive effort, though we did not take our chances in the
first half but there was only one team in it after the break”.
“We were stung twice this season, were bullied by Bangor’s mauling game so we worked hard at
disrupting it. We also looked at ensuring any ball they got was slow and this allowed us to get into
position defensively and ensured they did not get on the front foot all afternoon”
Nearing a full strength side, Omagh started strongly on Saturday and put the visitors on the back foot
early on with a series of concerted drives. They threatened the Bangor line on several occasions but a
combination of poor decision making, turnovers, knock on’s and determined defence denied them the
try that they deserved. The experienced Upritchard Park men had enough savvy to hold on and weather
the storm, with a couple of clinical cover tackles denying potential Omagh scores.
Lee Warnock did the hard work and made a searing break with Alistair Beckett in support on the overlap
with a try begging to be scored. Youthful impetuosity took over, though, with the talented out half
opting to go himself, getting isolated and losing possession. This was a clear try scoring opportunity, but
he was not on his own in this respect.
The early thrusts withheld, Bangor marched down the pitch in one of their rare sojourns into opposition
territory and were awarded a penalty which they duly converted to take the lead. Warnock levelled the
score soon after with a well taken penalty from 35 metres out, though he fell short with another effort.
Omagh were under pressure in the scrum throughout the half but battled hard to secure their own ball
with Edgar and Andrew Ferguson making the hard yards off the back of the scrum, while the lineout
functioned sweetly with excellent throwing from Adam Pollock.
The rolling maul which had served Bangor so well before Christmas was negated by a combination of
intelligent defence at the lineout, stout defence in first up tackling and a concerted effort to disrupt he
oppositions first phase ball
Half time 3-3
Playing downfield in the second period, the home side dominated throughout. Stuart McCain kept the
ball in front of his forwards with several well judged box kicks that pinned Bangor deep while the scrum
settled down with the home side achieving parity then taking a strike against their more illustrious
opponents.
Kyle Alexander opened the scoring for Omagh early in the half. A penalty was kicked to touch with Jonny
Giboney securing the resulting lineout. The Accies chose to drive, and though their opponents had the
nous to disrupt, wheel and try to come in from the side, the Accies remained patient, communicated
well and eventually they muscled over with Alexander flopping over from close in. The conversion was
missed.
Stung into action, the Co. Down men responded immediately using their powerful forwards to drive
into the Accies pack. They released their designated ball carriers time and time again in a well executed
period of phases with Chris Schofield adjudged to have touched down much to the chagrin of the home
pack who felt that had held the burly prop up off the ground. The conversion hit the post to tie the score
at eight points each.
With the half backs playing a territorial game, the Omagh eight enjoyed seeing the ball kept in front of
them, while the sizeable Bangor pack visibly seemed to fatigue, energizing the busy Omagh eight into
upping their game.
A finely executed move off the base of the scrum which saw Ferguson, McCain and Beckett involved
stretched the visitors defence by pulling them out wide, only for Beckett to feed Andy McFarland on a
great line. The flying winger cut back at full pace and went over the try line untouched in a slick move,
one of the best of the season. Warnock added the conversion.
Despite being in control, Omagh knew a converted try would even the contest and so they pushed
for the score to seal the contest. They got it, courtesy of brute power from Ferguson. The mobile
Newtownstewart man picked up a bobbling ball at the base of a scrum 10 metres out and ran over
the efforts of the Bangor scrum half to touch down and ensure Omagh got through to the next round.
Warnock added the conversion.
With 10 minutes to go, the visitors redouble their efforts but were well marshalled by a committed
defensive display.
Overall this was a good display with the missed chances in the first period being compensated for with
a strong second half performance that suffocated the visitors pack and with the forwards setting the
platform, the Accies won the territorial advantage and ultimately the game.
This win guarantees Omagh’s name in the hat for the next round where they could face local rivals
Enniskillen or Clogher Valley, while near neighbours Dunannon seconds and City of Derry seconds could
ensure a West-of-the-Bann tie.
“There are no easy games at this stage. A home tie would be good while a derby match, especially in the
Cup would bring a big crowd”, noted Edgar.
The Accies face another very tough encounter next week when Ballyclare visit Co. Tyrone. John Sproule,
Ryan Mitchell, Yonga Taleni, and David Ward along with the injured Richard Smyth ware all unavailable
or injured, while Edgar hopes to have Matty Eccles and Neil Browne back in the panel as they aim to
keep their momentum up against the league leaders who beat them comprehensively at the White Hart
at the beginning of the season.
Kick off 2:30pm, all support welcome
Team: Alistair Beckett, Andy McFarland, Ryan Mitchell, Alan Heaney, Yonga Taleni, Lee Warnock, Stuart
McCain, Kyle Alexander, Adam Pollock, Mark Smyth, John Sproule, Mark Millar, Mervyn Edgar, Mervyn
Edgar ©, Jonny Giboney, Andrew Ferguson
