Armoy 10 v 14 NICS 1st XV
Service started well despite the conditions – a boggy pitch and wind sweeping across the field making things difficult, but they took on a big team at their own game and came out on top. The set pieces were erratic for both sides, Service struggled to get clean ball from the scrums against their aggressive counterparts and Armoy seemed to cope poorly with the wind in the lineout making a kicking game very difficult. As it happened both teams ended up playing fairly tight rugby with pods crashing into each other almost relentlessly and hard yards gained in the mud by rucks and mauls rather than many clear cut breaks.
Service had by far the better of the first half – Jonny Armstrong had already slotted over 2 sweet penalties from some distance before Dan Cartland was able to jink around the defensive line. The Armoy winger did well to catch him on the line but Dan grounded the ball to cheers from the welcome travelling support.
The conversion was a tricky one and was missed by Jonny but he put another penalty over shortly after to give Service a healthy 14 – 0 lead. Unfortunately the mercurial Jonny Armstrong was quickly turned from hero to villain when his attempted clearance was charged down and the unpredictable bounce of a rugby ball allowed it to drop nicely of course into the hands of an Armoy player to ground under the posts. The easy conversion was added followed by the half time whistle to delight from the Armoy players and support who knew they had got lucky.
The second half was, if anything, to become even more attritional than the first. Armoy were able to get an early penalty to put them within a try away at 10-14. Neither team were willing to budge after that. Strike runners, shortened lineouts, wide balls and kicks were all dealt with well by both defences and as the clock ticked down Armoy began to throw absolutely everything they had at Service who found themselves trapped in the 22. A late penalty about 10 yards out to Armoy was debated within their ranks and credit to them they went for the win as they ran the ball, however Brendan Smith at prop had been eager to take them on and his tackle drove them back and re-energised the Service defence once again. With Hosky disrupting their ball from flanker and Robin and Trevor putting their bodies on the line Armoy tried to spread it out a bit further but they found Chris Burns and Brian Bogle in the centre would not give them an inch. With the Service pack giving their all they were able to turn the scrums around and win crucial defensive ball and when Alistair cleared the ball into touch and the final whistle went both teams shook hands and walked wearily off the pitch.
Final score: Armoy 10 v 14 Civil Service
Civil Service Colts 31 v 28 Instonians Seahorses
Civil Service Colts hosted Instonians Seahorses today in the fourth encounter between these two sides this season. The match today was the rearranged league fixture that was postponed in the January monsoons because Shawsbridge was unplayable. The fixture today took place at Stormont with the Colts the “away” team and as Instonians had arrived short-numbered they forfeited the league points so the match was played as a friendly.
The game was played in three 20 minute periods with the ‘visitors’ going into a 21 point lead with three converted tries within 18 minutes before Service started to wake up and hit back with a converted try from Andrew Lilburn.
In the second period Jonny Kennedy forced his way through to cross for Colts second try also goaled by Andrew Lilburn before Instonians responded with a fine converted try of their own.
The third period started at a frenetic pace with Jonny Kennedy scoring his second try virtually straight from kick off. Conversion missed and the deficit reduced to 9 points. The Colts continued to press forward with their efforts rewarded by a Luke Johnston unconverted try in the corner with 10 minutes remaining.
The final period of play saw a standard of rugby significantly better than that in the first period. The final Colts try came courtesy of Conor Ellson, a superb weaving run, worthy of being the winning score, under the posts. Andrew Lilburn added the conversion.
This was to be the final act with the Colts running out 31 – 28 points winners at the fulltime whistle.
Mini U10s Match Report
Saturday past saw keenly fought matches between Holywood and Civil Service U10s (the ‘local derby’). Holywood had the larger numbers and asked to play all players at once by doubling up matches, and so Civil had to borrow players to make up numbers. Despite needing some time to get to know their new team-mates, both Civil Service teams matched their opponents for energy, passion and drive. Holywood started the quicker but as the sessions went on Civil got their teeth into the games and tightened their forward play, ball retention and tackling. There were some super tries scored by both sides with Holywood definitely shading one set of games and CS the other. Highlights included a 15 metre rolling maul (brilliantly breaking up and reforming to stay within the 5 second rule) and the melee in the corner with 14 players diving in. Coaches ran over to break it up, only to find both sides laughing. All in all, a fun day!
Player Recruitment
Service continues to welcome new and returning players to all sections of the Club. Youth players are particularly welcome to come and join us at training on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm – 8pm and help bolster our Youth ranks. For more information please contact Philip Anderson, the Youth Coordinator on 07818 453498 or visit the Club website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/civilservicenirfc every one welcome.
Fixtures for Saturday 23rd February
NICS 1st XV v TBC
NICS 2nd XV v Ophir (League – Away)
Colts v Grosvenor Medallion (Friendly – Home 11am)
Minis Training 10am
All Saturday fixtures have a 2.30pm kick-off unless otherwise stated.
