After last weeks lack lustre performance against Donegal II it was made clear to all the players that a much better performance would be required if they were to take the points from a very good Strabane II team. In the early stages of the match Armoy pressed the Strabane defence and pinned them inside their own half for a good spell but unfortunately could not break down their well organised rear guard. This was to prove costly as Strabane edged in front on their first visit into Armoy territory from a penalty. This seemed to rattle the home team as Strabane again went on the offensive and only stout defence from Armoy held them at bay. During this spell of pressure Armoy conceided another penalty but luckily for them the resultant kick drifted wide of the upright. This let off seemed to spark the Armoy men back into attacking mode and it was their turn to launch an assault on the Strabane goal. During the attack Armoy forced a penalty just out side the 22 which was converted by full back John Wallace. The remainder of the half was played out with neither side managing to create any clear cut chances.
Half Time Armoy 3 Strabane II 3
Into the second half and Armoy now had the wind at their backs and were determined to use it to their advantage. This they did and within the opening minutes of the half they were awarded a penalty which was again slotted over by Wallace. With Armoy now in the lead Strabane went searching for scores of their own but were repelled by some determined Armoy defence. It was evident that very few clear cut chances were going to be made and if they were they would have to taken. This wss the case for the only try of the match. A strong Armoy scrum led to the ball being passed out to the onrushing Armoy backline. A great angled run into the line from full back John Wallace cut a gap in the Strabane defence. He then offloaded the ball before being tackled to winger Mark McConnaghie who rushed in for a well worked score from 20 yards. Conversion unsuccesfull.
Armoy now just had to close the game out knowing that only a converted try for the visitors would be good enough. This time there would be no lapses in concentration similar to what happened during the reverse fixture away to Strabane earlier in the season when Armoy threw away a 12 point lead in the last 7 minutes which resulted in a draw.
Armoy held on comfortably and recorded a fine win.
Afterwards Gareth Christie praised every player on what was a great all round team performance.
Next week Armoy travel to Stranorlar to play Finn Valley in our last league match of the season.
Armoy Team
N Porterfield, A Bartlett, M Donald, B Taggart, R Gardner, D Ramage, G Christie, K Greenlaw, B Kelly, C Nesbitt, R Bartlett, D Linton, G McConnaghie, M McConnaghie, J Wallace, Subs N McKelvie, R Shannon, J Traynor.
