Images: Armagh’s winger Josh Morton scored a fine interception try, The Armagh back row combination worked a treat.
Power N. Ireland sponsor Armagh Rugby third fifteen. They presented a new
kit to the team prior to their game against Holywood seconds on Saturday.
Images: Team line up prior to the game and Lesley-Anne Diffin from Power N. Ireland presents the new jerseys
with team captain Chris Wallace.
Pictures to the right: Armagh’s Wes Batty defends & Armagh’s centre makes a break.
Tighthead prop Andrew Fletcher Carries,
Armagh Centre Matthew Allen breaks & Winger Mark Laverty offloads
I XV v City Of Derry Report
Yet again Armagh were scheduled to play City of Derry in the Ulster Senior cup only on this occasion they had to make the long trek to Judges Road. There was a degree of trepidation in the ranks of the Armagh supporters after last week’s performance with the added difficulty of facing a full strength home side.
The game kicked off in near perfect conditions but yet again Armagh failed to field the ball resulting in a scrum to the home side and Armagh immediately putting themselves under unnecessary pressure. The first 8 minutes belonged to the Derry side with Armagh defending stoically and putting in some big hits. After some 10 minutes play Armagh full back Timmy McNeice slotted through a ball from the half way line towards the Derry ‘22’ which initially did not seem to pose any threat. The Armagh full back followed up his kick was able to regain possession and subsequently went over the Derry line for Armagh to take an unlikely lead. The subsequent conversion was slotted over by the Armagh out half, Dillon Ferreira to leave the score 7-0 to the away team.
Once again Armagh put themselves under pressure from the kick off and this resulted in a penalty being awarded to the home side. McCarter, the Derry out half failed with the subsequent kick leaving the score at 7 nil. Derry continued to put Armagh under pressure and were awarded a 5 metre scrum after some good defensive work by the Armagh scrum half, Harry Doyle. From the resultant series of scrums Derry were eventually awarded a rather fortuitous penalty try which they went on to convert bring the scores even.
On 20 minutes Armagh were awarded a penalty after Derry were adjudged to be off side and this opportunity was once again translated into points by the Armagh out half. Derry continued to edge the remainder of the first half although to their credit Armagh defended well and were aggressive at the break down. On 40 minutes the whistle blew for half time with Armagh just ahead on the score board.
The second half was only 4 minutes old when the home side went in for a try scored by their outside centre. The subsequent conversion was missed but for the first time Derry took the lead at 12-10. Armagh continued to defend, thwarting Derry on several occasions from crossing the away side’s line. On 20 minutes Armagh winger, Josh Morton intercepted a pass on half way and sprinted the length of the pitch to score under the Derry posts. The subsequent kicked was converted to put Armagh back into the lead 17-10.
Derry continued to put Armagh under pressure and this resulted in a further penalty being converted closing the gap to 17-15 in favour of the away side. As the game entered the closing minutes it looked as if Armagh were going to get an unlikely away win. However, on 39 minutes after a well worked move a try was scored by the Derry winger Logue. This was converted leaving Armagh losing by the narrowest of margins.
This was a very pleasing performance from an Armagh team that were up against a strong, physically imposing and determined opposition. Armagh defended well and the pack competed and were aggressive at the break down. In particular the back row of McCall, Clarke and Atkinson put in a tremendous effort supported well by the rest of the tight five. The backs looked dangerous from the limited amount of possession they had. If this team can go to Sligo next week with the same determined attitude and sense of collective they can certainly come away with the points.
Armagh Seconds Battle at Ballynahinch
Armagh seconds travelled to play Ballynahinch seconds in the second fifteen league on Saturday. The Hinch, fresh from their convincing Junior cup win the previous week against Donaghadee, were expected to be formidable opponents for an Armagh side struggling with having to play in the conference Qualifying 1 league and section one of the 2nd fifteen league. A much changed side took the field and in a close fought first half Armagh held the Hinch to a half time score of 8 – 6. Matthews Steenson converted two penalties after fine play by backs and forwards produced good field position. Hinch playing uphill into the breeze, broke away to score an unconverted try to add to an earlier penalty. Armagh had a spell of pressure deep in the home 22 only for the ball to be knocked on over the line at the posts. When the second half kicked off, Hinch gained immediate possession and broke through Armagh’s defence to touch down at the posts 15 – 6 to Hinch. Armagh continued to battle on in the forwards led by captain Davy Martin and after winning possession on the half way line, David Spratt combined with John Faloon who broke through a couple of would be tacklers to sent Eddie Irwin over in the corner for an unconverted try, 15 – 11 to the Hinch. With possession hard to come by, Armagh defended well and only conceded a further 3 points on 65 minutes to bring the score to 18 – 11 to the Hinch. With time running out, Hinch added a late converted try to their tally to leave a final score of Hinch 25 Armagh 11. This was a much improved performance from the seconds and if a settled side can be fielded, it will only be a matter of time before results improve.
Armagh Power NI 3rdxv v Holywood 2ndxv 37 – 24
On Saturday Armagh Power NI 3rdxv hosted previously unbeaten Holywood to the Palace grounds. Armagh Power NI were also wearing their new skip for the first time this season which was a very welcome change. The game was played in near perfect conditions with a slight breeze coming from behind the clubhouse.
Holywood kicked off and Armagh Power NI immediately started putting pressure on the large visitor pack with some excellent carries from Stuart McMahon and Colin Cochrane. With the continued pressure Holywood were caught offside at a ruck and Stanley Hamilton converted the resulting penalty. This seemed to waken Holywood as they came back hard at Armagh Power NI and returned the penalty when the hosts were deemed to be not releasing on the ground.
Armagh Power NI regathered and started again with some excellent kicking from the returning outhalf Jonny Gillespie. With the territory Armagh Power NI were able to turn the ball over with some good work from James Knox and Liam McElroy at the breakdown. Hamilton converted the penalty. 6-3.
At this stage Armagh seemed to find another game, with 20 minutes played they decided it was time for the backs to do some damage with Mark Laverty, also returning to make the strong backline even stronger, feeding Simon Beckett to dot down in the corner. Hamilton converted the try. 13-3.
Armagh again returned the kick off back to Holywood and with some good running from centres Knipe and Allen. At this stage Captain Chris Wallace put his name on the scoresheet after being put into space by Gillespie. Hamilton Converted. 20-3
Armagh continued the pressure with a scrum against the head with some great work from the front row of Fletcher, Knox and Cochrane. From this scrum Wallace picked form the base neat his opposite number, drew the fullback and popped to Hamilton who dotted down under the posts. Hamilton converted his own try. 27-3
Holywood feel asleep at this stage and Armagh were able to gain a very kickable penalty in the last moments of the second half which Hamilton converted, leaving the scores at 30-3. Armagh Power NI worked hard in the first half and just needed to keep it u to ensure victory.
In the second half Armagh Power NI kicked off and secured the ball straight away and with the resulting turnover the backs moved the ball well across the line to Beckett for his second try of the day. Hamilton Converted. 37-3
Holywood rallied and came back at Armagh in the last 15 minutes and managed to score 3 converted tries to narrow the score to 37-24. Against a better side Armagh could have been punished for some very sleepy defence. Armagh are now back up to the top end of the league and want to stay there and hopefully match last years effort.
