The ARMAGH rugby second xv who are having an excellent season were surprisingly beaten 28-23 by a well-drilled fit Instonians’ side in their first game of 2011. The Armagh side were possibly fielding their strongest side all season, but they came up against an Instonians side which probably had a number of exiles playing at home for their holidays.
Play started off at a cracking pace with both teams throwing around the ball and running from every where. It took some time for the game to settle but after15mins Instonianstook the lead with a well executed & converted try. But Armagh bounced back almost immediately with a fine try by Johnny Allen.
Just before half-time Armagh went into the lead with a penalty converted by Matthew Steenson. The pace didn’t let up in the next 40 minutes either with both teams playing an expansive game. Weak defence, however, allowed Inst. to go back into the lead with a
converted try after 50 minutes and although a well worked rolling maul from a lineout enabled Peter Lambe to reduce the deficit with another unconverted try. Inst kept running the ball to score again.
Armagh threw everything at the end and a break away try sealed their fate. A well worked consolation score for Robbie Falloon converted by Steenson left Armagh 5 points adrift at the end of what was an entertaining game. The only real difference between the sides was the Instonians’ ability to turnover ball and counter attack. In this regards their no 13
Paddy Irwin was superb.
So boys, it is back to the drawing board and to work on several aspects of their game.
The locals should not be disheartened as this young Inst. side would beat most sides in Junior League. One other comment worth making that the fitness of the referee and his handling of the game was of high quality.
