Armagh Confidence Not Dented
Following the 21-5 defeat at Greystones last Saturday the Armagh coach, Andy Hughes, was keen to point out that despite the result he was more than happy with the team attitude that the Armagh team displayed in retaining their resolution in absolutely filthy playing conditions. Undoubtedly the home side played the home venue & the prevailing weather better. The Armagh side, on the other hand, showed a keenness to play rugby right up to the final whistle.
Andy stressed that his side are still primarily focused on scoring maximum points in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League. Whilst Friday’s 18-7 win against Belfast Harlequins was a more than welcome inter-club victory the team’s target is next Saturday’s fixture when they entertain the Leinster side, Suttonians, at The Palace Grounds. Suttonians are currently flagging at the bottom spot of the League but, as Andy stressed, you can never take any team for granted in this game! The boys will be treating this match with the same respect the would as if they were playing league topping Nenagh Ormonde. Who, by the way, they just happen to play on March 1st.
ARMAGH 18 Belfast Harlequins 7
On a wet, stormy Friday evening Armagh entertained Belfast Harlequins under lights at the Palace Grounds. Armagh kicked off with the stiffening wind in their favour and immediately put pressure on the Quinns line. On 6 minutes a charged-down kick led to a try by the aspiring young Armagh No. 8 Darryl Morton. Reaney steeped up and slotted the conversion over to leave the score 7 nil to the home side.
Quinns immediately came back at the home side and after a concerted period of pressure scored a try on 12 minutes. The successful conversion left the scores level at 7-7. The visiting side continued to dominate possession but were penalised on several occasions with Armagh failing to turn these chances into points. However, on 24 and 29 minutes Armagh were successful with 2 penalty attempts to keep the score board ticking over bringing the score up to 13-7.
On 30 minutes another charge down kick led to a further try scored on this occasion by the Armagh scrum half, Harry Doyle. The subsequent conversion by Reaney left the half-time score 18-7 in Armagh’s favour.
The conditions in the second half worsened and this led to an error- strewn, scrappy, period of rugby with the visitors retaining most of the possession. However, the Armagh defence held firm and the score remained unaltered. Armagh dominated the set pieces with, man of the match, Darryl Morton making repeated explosive breaks from the base of the scrums and rucks. Credit, however, should go to both sides for trying to play entertaining rugby in such vile conditions. However, it was a night where the team without possession profited best!
