An entertaining game at Neillsbrook saw Randalstown 2s run out convincing winners against Lurgan by 41-0.
Skipper Gary Walker led by example all afternoon, and it was the scrum half who opened the scoring with 5 minutes on the clock. After good work by his forwards close to the line Walker was on hand to nip round the base of a ruck and touch down. McCann added the extras.
Town continued to press the visitors line but after half an hour had only added a McCann penalty to their tally. Dan Wilson, returning after a 6 week lay off, was having an exceptional game and his quick penalty tap on half way set up Mark Mulholland for a chance in the corner. Unfortunately for Mulholland the touch judge reckoned he had a foot in touch before grounding the ball.
Randalstown were finally rewarded, after continuing to pile on the pressure, with a couple of minutes of the half remaining. Ryan Ings and McCann combined to run back a Lurgan clearance. When they were held up by the visiting defence Walker whipped the ball across the back line where Wilson was found lurking on the wing and he crossed to stretch the lead.
Wilson was on hand again to field the Lurgan kick off and ran the ball straight back at them showing some nifty footwork, not unlike Gavin Henson on come dancing. He left a series of would be tacklers grasping thin air before popping the ball to the ever present Ings, who was on his shoulder, on the 10 metre line. Ings glided over to score under the posts and McCann converted to give ‘Town a 21 – 0 lead at the interval.
In the opening minute of the 2nd half McCann caught a Lurgan clearance just inside his own half. The full back set off at pace, and like a knife through butter split the visitors defence. Ings was again the 1st man in support and he then released Willie Fleck to run in for his 1st score of the afternoon. McCann finished off the move with the conversion.
The next half hour, in similar fashion to the first half, did not see the scoreboard troubled, as the game became bogged down in the middle of the pitch. With 7 minutes left on the clock the impressive Fleck showed strength and pace to break a couple of tackles down the right wing an crash over in the corner for his 2nd try.
Minutes later a rare Lurgan intrusion into the home 22 was turned over by the hard working ‘town forwards. Walker led an enterprising counter from his own line, and having reached half way, McCann cut back inside and spread the ball to the opposite wing. The tiring visitors had no answer to the pace of Wilson and Stevenson, who carried the ball into the 22 before shipping to Fleck who sped in for a well deserved 3rd try. McCann completed the scoring and a fine personal performance with the conversion.
Although the home side went for long periods without scoring they did produce some fine attacking rugby, and only for a spirited Lurgan defence, could have added a few more scores. Ourstanding performances from McCann & Fleck in the back line and Wilson and Ings for the forwards were the highlights but manager Richardson was quick to praise the work put in by the rest of the team. Ben Winter continues to improve week on week, Walker put in a hard working captain’s performance and Ricky Loughlin and James Millar in particular were tireless over the hard yards all afternoon.
Team: McCann Fleck Johnston Mulholland Winter Boyd Walker (Capt) Loughlin Stevenson Pedlow M Millar J Millar Ings Wilson Park.
Next week both the 2nds and 3rds are scheduled to play at home against CIYMS 4s & Cooke 4s respectively. The Ireland – New Zealand game will be on the big screen in the clubhouse after the game.
The ‘Super Draw’ has commenced at Randalstown. Week 1 was won by ticket number 215 – D McCormack and Week 2 was lucky ticket number 69 B Nelson.
There are still a few tickets available for the super draw. Please contact Tommy McCann if you wish to purchase one.
