POWERADE TOWNS CUP FIRST ROUND
ARMAGH SECOND’S 16 OMAGH 12
Saturday saw Armagh entertain Omagh in the first round of the Powerade Towns Cup. Rugby pundits were seen to fancy Omagh to dominate this fixture and progress in this competition. Omagh had been seen to be progressing well in the first part of the Q2 league whereas Armagh seconds were seen to under perform wit several patchy results.
With this match form both sides showed their determination as th game kicked off in almost perfect playing conditions. Both sides showed keenness to employ open tactics and entertained the large crowd of spectators accordingly. The scoring was opened with the Omagh number 10 landing a simple penalty putting the visitors into an early 0-3 lead. This advantage was short lived, however, when the Armagh out half laned a penalty to even the score at 3-3. Another rucking offence saw Omagh out-half, Scott Allen, notch another 3 points for the visitors. This advantage was held up to the half time break.
Omagh kept the score board ticking by kicking another penalty after a home forward was judged to hav entered a ruck improperly. By this stage of the game the 3-9 score looked ominous for the home team. Armagh’s seconds had other ideas and their brilliant control of a rolling maul led to a touch down by forward, David Martin, which was then converted by Magowan to put the home side ahead for the first time in the game albeit by the slender margin 10-9. This try, the only one of the game, appeared to inspire the home team. They now exhibited some very strong periods of play. They threatened to score more tries but were deprived only by repeated handling errors both in the forward and backs departments. To add to the excitement Omagh’s reliable kicker landed another penalty to regain the lead at 10-12. Yet again the Armagh resolution came back into play with remarkable display of constructive rugby. This was rewarded when they were awarded a penalty which, again, Magowan, kicked to put the game on a knife-edge at 13-12. After the most intense period of the game Armagh were awarded a final penalty with ten minutes yet to play. The home support held its breath! The kick fro Magowan sailed over to put the home team 16-12 ahead with seven minutes to play. Try as they did the Omagh team just could not penetrate the resolution of the home defence and the game ended in favour of Armagh with 16-12 on the board.
This result reflected just how close this game really was. The senior Ulster Rugby side may lack stunning performances but both Omagh and Armagh sides deserve praise for their fantastic display of rugby talent.
