Due to the persistent inclement weather rugby had not been seen at the Palace Grounds since the Junior Cup semi-final when, after extensive snow-clearing efforts, Armagh defeated Dromore on November 27th. For a variety of reasons, Armagh have now missed some four fixtures. This is almost certainly bound to cause serious fixture congestion later in the season. With this in mind, the mood at the kick-off was almost reminiscent of the start to a new season. There was, however, a poor crowd on the touch-line mainly due to the fact that the Heineken cup games were being televised all through the afternoon and the steady, drizzly, rain made the armchair very inviting!
Ballymoney obviously arrived at this game with a win in mind. From the whistle they came out with’ all guns blazing’. After one minute’s play Armagh were penalised for off-side but Ballymoney’s kicker, Ryan Bruce, failed to put the ball on target. Seven minutes later say the home team penalised again for off side. This time the ball went over to see Ballymoney 0-3 ahead. The visiting scrum-half went down with a severe ankle injury and was forced to leave the field. Ballymoney were forced to bring on a heavy forward as a substitute on the left wing. Armagh failed, however, to capitalise on this but after spending long periods in the Ballymoney ‘22’ were unable to penetrate the visitor’s defence. The Ballymoney side were demonstrating their passion by dominating several scrums and line-outs in the first half and were rewarded with another penalty just before the break when the Armagh backs strayed off side. The kick was successful leaving the visitors 0-6 ahead at half-time.
At the break the Armagh coach, Andy Hughes, had some harsh words for the home team and it had some obvious effects. Within a minute of the kick-off Armagh’s left-winger, Eddie Irwin scored a fine try when he kicked ahead and rounded his opposite winger to score in the corner. Adam Gowing kicked the difficult conversion to make the score 7-6. At this stage the fine drizzle had begun to get that bit heavier and the breeze was also beginning to freshen to give Armagh a slight advantage. This didn’t deter either side as the game continued to be played by at a furious pace by both teams. This pace, however, was beginning to take its toll with a plethora of injuries on both sides. Twenty minutes into the second half saw Armagh’s No.8, James Morton, score a breakaway try under the Ballymoney posts, which was converted to bring the score to 14-6. Armagh substituted centre Matty Maguire, returning after a lengthy injury, for Andy Holmes. Matty later went on to almost score a certain try only to be penalized for ‘crossing’. At this point all the play in the second half was spent in the Ballymoney ‘22’ and it was only just when the Armagh prop, Andy Morton touched down 26 minutes after the break. Adam Gowing converted again to bring the score to 21-6. Within five minutes, Gowing scored his own try between the posts and, for good measure, converted to bring the score up to 28-6. This try secured the vital bonus point. In the dying minutes of the half the visitor’s made their only visit into Armagh’s ‘22’ and to round off the afternoon their centre, Kebla, scored a try in the left corner, which was converted to bring the final score to 28-13.
Next week sees Armagh entertain Dromore at The Palace Grounds in another league game with a 2-30pm kick off.
Images:
Matty Wright Makes a break
Matty Maguire returns after a long injury.
Colly Atkinson tests the Ballymoney defence.
