Dungannon 17-44 Quins
‘Quins maintained their position at the top of the Ulster Bank 1B League with this emphatic bonus point Ulster derby victory. The visitor’s powerful pack did the damage in the second half by grabbing four tries including a brace from the rampaging Starman Neil McComb.
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After just 5 minutes the reliable Ian Porter opened the scoring with a straightforward penalty. Within minutes the first try of the match was scored when Michael Allen won the chase after a neat chip through by ‘Quins outhalf Stuart Olding. Porter added the extras to give the visitors a ten point lead.
For the rest of the half ‘Quins were the dominant side, but they only managed another penalty in reply to a Michael Lawton penalty for ‘Gannon.
With the half time score at 3-13 the home side still had an opportunity to get back into this game, but they weren’t allowed to take that opportunity as ‘Quins blitzed the home side with five more tries in the second half.
Within minutes of the restart Rory Scholes displayed his potency when he raced clear of the defence to touch down for ‘Quins second try. Porter missed the conversion from a difficult angle.
The ‘Quins pack stepped up their power and pace and on 55 minutes the impressive Richard Lutton forced his way over. Porter added the extra points to a lead which now looked out of ‘Gannon’s reach.
Ten minutes later Neil McComb clinched the bonus point when he crashed his way over the line after a powerful driving maul by ‘Quins pack.
With the ‘Gannon defence now in disarray ‘Quins forwards ran freely in open play and Niall Annett touched down beside the posts after a run in from the home sides 22 line. Porter added the conversation.
‘Quins then seemed to take their foot of the gas, which allowed ‘Gannon in for two consolation tries by Darryl Simpson and Mark Jenkinson. Michael Lawton converted to bring the home side’s score into the realm of respectability.
It was McComb who had the final say in the match when he powered over for an injury time try to complete the rout. Porter added the conversion on the whistle.
It has been several years since I have witnessed such a comprehensive victory by ‘Quins against top level opposition and it is great to see the guys back wearing the Harlequins quartered jerseys. It’s fair to say that Dungannon were without a few influencial players, but I guess that’s the roll of the dice and this does happen when you have several players involved the provincial setup.
There are six league matches remaining, all of which have the potential of becoming banana skins for ‘Quins, so we just need to focus one match at a time.
See you next Saturday back at Deramore for the UCC game, 2:30pm kick off.
Star Man: Neil McComb
Dungannon: Lawton, O’Shea, McKenzie, McCloskey, Egner, Campbell, Kirkwood, Sinnamon, Duhig, Farquhar, Jenkinson, Smith, Threfall, Halsall, McMahon.
Replacements: Jackson, Whyte, McCarroll, Bloomfield, Simpson.
Belfast Harlequins: Scholes, McMurray, Allen, Kettyle, Holmes, Olding, Porter, Lutton, Annett, McGrath, Ferguson, Rourke, Rea, Babe, McComb.
Replacements: Greenaway, Montgomery, Annett, Heatlie, Creighton.
Ulster Bank League – Division 1B
Results from Saturday 11th February
Bruff 27 – 10 UCD
Buccaneers 9 – 15 U.L. Bohemian
Galwegians 22 – 27 Ballymena
U.C.C. 13 – 12 Ballynahinch
