ARDS 14 ARMAGH rugby 19
There was an uneasy feeling of apprehension travelling around the Armagh supporters prior to Saturday’s kick-off. Although Ards had yet to win a game in the Ulster Senior League, there was a suspicion that this could prove to be a ‘banana skin’ on which Armagh could trip! Despite the fact that the last time Armagh played at Hamilton Park in season 1997-98 and were defeated by 40 odd points there was a suspicion that, today, the visiting team was under strength.
Ards kicked off with a strong, low, sun in their faces but as the game progressed an arctic breeze coming off Strangford Lough strengthened.
The Armagh team stamped their mark on the game immediately by sending left-winger, Eddie Irwin, down into the corner and he narrowly failed to score as his efforts were foiled by a last effort tackle from the Ards fullback. Not to be outdone, the home team responded and launched an attack, which took them deep into Armagh territory where the visitors were penalised for not releasing a tackled player. The kick was on target to put 3-0 on the scoreboard. Shortly after the restart, Ards were caught off-side and Steenson’s kick put the ball down to the Ards five metre area. From the resultant line-out a strong combined effort from both Johnny Allen and Willie Martin gave Armagh their first try. Dylan Ferreria’s conversion put the score to 3-7. From the restart, Harry Doyle made one of his signature breaks and brought play back into the Ards half where a defender failed to release Doyle after a tackle. Again Steenson sent the ball into the same left corner. This time a short line-out option sent hooker, Andrew Smyth over for a try. The conversion wet wide but the 3-12 score did look healthier for the Armagh side. The Ards side didn’t see things from this aspect, however, and continued to bully Armagh in open play. The referee was forced to yellow card the Ards No. 5 after he threw a punch and had a lengthy discussion with both captains regarding team discipline.
The half time break saw coach, Andrew Hughes, utter some stern words to his team in an effort to tidy up their efforts. Shortly after the restart winger, Josh Morton, competed for a high ball but collided with his opposite number and was forced to leave the field with a knee injury. The Ards team then scored their solitary try to bring the score to 8-12. Armagh’s troubles continued when they were penalized for a rucking offence and the kick narrowed the score to 11-12. The game continued to be a scrappy untidy affair and only when centre, Ethan Allen, forced his way round his opposite number did it appear to be securable on the day. Steenson’s conversion emphasised this fact. A feature that made considerable effect in the last quarter of the game was the excellent long range touch kicks which Richard Reaney so deftly launched into the Ards ‘22’.
The game ended with Armagh being penalized in front of their own posts and the gap narrowing to 14-19. On a more serious note, however, the game ended with an Ards player being taken to hospital with a suspected dislocated ankle.
The
Armagh Power NI 3rdxv v Ballymena 4thxv 48-14
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> On Saturday Armagh Power NI hosted a big, very physical Ballymena side at the Palace grounds. The weather conditions were perfect and Armagh were able to field a near full strength side with only Jude Parr and Matty Allen unavailable through illness.
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> The game started at break neck pace, Ballymena kicked off into the sun. Second rows Paul Cully and Staurt McMahon carried well but were met with tough defence form the huge Ballymena pack, with this defensive effort Ballymena managed to turn the ball over. With this possession they launched an assault on the Armagh pack, with only 10 minutes gone the home side found themselves defending a 5 metre scrum after the ball had been held up of the line. Luckily the outstanding front row of Andy Morton, James Knox and Richard Morton won the ball against the head and scrum half Stanley Hamilton cleared the lines and relieved the pressure.
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> This seemed to wake the hosts another stole the next line out and launched their own onslaught, with hard running from centres Robert Straghan and Mark Laverty. At the next breakdown Hamilton fed outhalf Andy Knipe who in turn drew his man and put his captain Chris Wallace into space and from here was able to score out wide to put the first point son the board. knipe Converted.
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> With their tails up Armagh Power NI seemed to get the better of the much bigger travelling pack. They held onto the ball and made their way into opposition territory and with some slick handling from the backline Mark Allen got in for his first of the day out wide. Knipe missed the conversion.
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> Again the home side held onto the ball and out muscled the away side to get into another scoring position with some hard running from Rory Hanna and Darren Corry the pack secured some quick ball for the backs who managed to score through Straghan close to the corner. Knipe missed the conversion.
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> With 10 minutes of the first half to go and the score line only 17-0 Armagh knew they had to get some more points on the board. With this Wallace got his pack moving slowly down the middle of the park with some good driving play from Morton and McMahon. With this Ballymena infringed and Armagh pointed to the posts. Knipe converted. 20-0. In the next 5 minutes Armagh found themselves in the same position twice and Knipe converted both opportunities. 26-0 the half time score.
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> Half time saw a regenerated Ballymena side who threw everything at the home side, but it wasn’t enough to break a resolute Armagh defence. They a managed to turn the ball over and move it through the hands to winger Adam Brennan who was held up only 2 metres from the line. The support arrived on time and Mark Allen got in for his second of the day. Knipe missed the conversion. 31-0
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> Ballymena kept punching at the Armagh defence and eventually broke through after some sloppy and careless defence from the home side. They converted their score leaving he score with 20 minutes to go 31-7. Armagh woke up and shook themselves to go at the travelling side again with some good hands and slick running Jamie Monaghan got close only to be thwarted by the try line. Armagh kept the pressure on and turned the ball over at the 10 metre line. Paul Cully was fed by Richard Morton who beat 2 men and in turn fed Wallace to get his second of the day under the posts. Knipe converted 38-7.
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> Armagh again let Ballymena in for another soft score out wide which was converted to leave the score 38-14 with 15 minutes to play. After this Armagh Power NI went looking for another score which they got through Andy Morton. Knipe missed the conversion 43-14. With the final play of the game man of the match Hamilton got over for a score out wide which left the final score 48-14. This was a huge display from the home side, facing their toughest opposition to date and sowing that they can mix with the bigger sides.
