Tir Chonaill were the visitors to Lime Park on Saturday and were the recipients of a 12 try demolition.
It was evident from the outset that Armoy were keen to pick up from where they had left off last Saturday.
The bigger and more experienced Armoy pack used there dominance to set up the first score of the day. After a few phases of good rucks and mauls the ball found it’s way out to winger Paul Douthart who danced around 3 tacklers to run in for his first score of the day. Unconverted.
The second try was virtually identical again with Douthart stretching into the corner for another score. Unconverted.
The third Armoy try came via a good back line move. Number 8 Ian Caldwell picked up from the base of a scrum and popped the ball out to that backs, it was given to centre John Cassley at pace 15 meters out and with 2 Tir Chonaill players trying to halt him he showed great strength to reach over for a score. Unconverted.
Try number 4 was the result of more good team play with both forwards and backs combining in a flowing move which was stopped short of the line. From the resultant scrum the ball was picked up by the back line and flanker Daniel Ramage crashing over under the posts for a score. Converted by J Traynor.
From the kick off Armoy went up the park again with forwards and backs combining well with a good phase of running rugby up the wing . Winger Mark McConaghie was stopped short of the line. From the resultant ruck scrum half Barry Kelly picked up and drove over for a well taken score. Unconverted.
With half time looming Armoy were keen to add another score. More forward dominance resulted to a good backs move and again winger Paul Douthart ran through the defence and under the posts for his 3rd try of the day. Converted by J Traynor.
Half time 34-0
The second half followed the same pattern to the first with Tir Chonaill rarely being allowed to venture into Armoy territory. There wasn’t long to wait before Armoy stretched their lead. Again great handling from the backs lead to another Paul Douthart try in the corner. Unconverted.
Try number 8 for Armoy again came from good back play and again centre John Cassley showed great strength to burst through the tackles to score his second of the day . Converted by Traynor.
Next score from Armoy came from the kick off with Ian Caldwell breaking the tackles he passed the ball to flanker Kyle Greenlaw who went on a run. From the resultant ruck a series of rolling mauls lead to Armoy being held up short of the line. Again scrum half Barry Kelly picked up and drove over for his second and Armoys ninth score of the day. Unconverted.
From the next kick off the ball was taking in by the Armoy pack who ran at the Tir Chonaill defenders. The ball was passed out to second row Enda Casey out on the wing just inside his own half. He ran down the wing and passed the flailing defenders the cut inside for a free run under the posts for a well taken score. Converted by Traynor.
Try number 11 again came from some very aggressive running from Ian Caldwell who set up a ruck 5 meters out. This was picked up by prop Neil Porterfield who was held up half a meter short. Scrum half Barry Kelly passed out to Gareth Christie who showed quick handling skills to pass the ball to unlikely winger ,prop Mark Donald who dived into the corner like a certain Chris Ashton though in reality was more like Chris Biggins.unconverted.
It was now very late in the match but ruthless Armoy were not finished. Again the forwards won good ball for the backs and again it was Paul Douthart on hand to run into the corner for his 5th try of the day. Unconverted.
Final score Armoy 68 Tir Chonaill 0
Captain Gareth Christie was delighted with the result but stressed that it is vital for players to get to training on Wednesday nights in order to keep up momentum and iron out any flaws.
