Local derby at the Palace grounds.
Armagh seconds played their Dungannon counterparts in a 2nd xv league game at the Palace grounds last Thursday night. With the ground conditions being very wet, and even though handling was difficult, this was to prove to be a very entertaining game. Shortly after the kick off, Armagh lost possession and conceded an early unconverted try when the ball was moved quickly by the Dungannon backline with their winger scoring out wide. 5 -0 to Dungannon. Armagh replied with a penalty conversion by Andrew Knipe shortly after to reduce the arrears to 3-5. As the game progressed, the Armagh backline were beginning to gel and on 24 minutes Robert Straghan cut through the centre to score a fine try at the posts. With Knipe’s conversion, Armagh now led 10-5 which was fair reward for the team’s efforts. Armagh’s advantage in the scrums was negated by the withdrawal of Dungannon’s prop through injury. This resulted in uncontested scrums being played for the remainder of the game. The home side’s back 3 of fullback Timmy McNeice and wingers, Robbie Faloon and John McDonagh were keen to run ball at the Dungannon backline, however sound defence from the visitors limited any significant territorial advantage. Early in the second half, the forwards led by Bassett, Andrew Morton and Jamie Haughey upped the ante, and after taking play into the Dungannon 22, captain Joe Clarke powered over at the posts for another converted try to bring the score to 17-5 to Armagh. If the home support thought that the seconds would pull away to comfortably win the game, Dungannon had other ideas. A penalty was quickly added to their tally followed by two tries by the visiting fullback to put Dungannon into an unlikely lead with 10 minutes to go. 20 – 17 to Dungannon. Even though halfbacks David Spratt and Robbie Magowan were combining well to give the team a platform in the visitors 22, Dungannon repelled several Armagh forays through determined tackling. With time running out Armagh had a lineout on the 22 and with the ball won, the home pack set off on a rolling maul right up to the visitors line with prop Andrew Morton claiming the crucial match winning try. Full time score, Armagh seconds 22, Dungannon seconds 20.
