Armagh 4th XV 10 Cavan 2nd XV 29
Armagh 4ths entertained Cavan 2nd XV in the rain, darkness and mud. A youthful side took the field against a strong visitor’s side.
Not having played much rugby together, Armagh appeared very rusty and started slowly making simple mistakes and gifting the opposition possession. Indeed the visitors took advantage of this when their scrum half picked up at the back of a scrum and ran through untouched to score. This was converted. From the kick off, Cavan maintained their pressure and when Armagh failed to clear properly, their centre scythed his way through to score form his own half. Again the try was converted. Armagh were having no luck in the lineouts and gifting the opposition possession. From this, they converted a penalty after 20mins to give themselves a 17-0 comfort gap.
Armagh finally lifted themselves and took the game to Cavan. After sustained pressure and ‘close’ efforts from Michael O’Neill and David Loughran, Willie Armstrong broke the line and Nathan Hall managed to squeeze over the line. Armagh retained possession from the kick off and James Gribben and Gordon Rowntree carried the ball well. Armstrong again managed to squeeze through the line after good work from Paul Campbell and William McKinstry raced in. Campbell missed the conversion and the hosts were 17 – 12 down.
Armagh’s resurgence seemed to lift Cavan and their winger converted a fine try in the corner on 67 minutes. Armagh tried to retrieve the ball but a strong opposition didn’t give up and their Out Half crossed under the posts with 5mins to go.
The score line flattered the visitors who were matched man for man by the inexperienced Armagh side who will benefit from the game time and the more they play together!! All of the team would like to wish David Loughran a speedy recovery as he sustained a broken leg late in the game.
