03/11/2012: COLERAINE went to Co Down with a weakened side on Saturday and paid the price with a 35-10 defeat at the hands of a resurgent Dromore.
The visitors struggled against a much heavier pack and were found wanting in defence. There were some good attacking positions during the game but, in the main, the opportunities went unfulfilled.
Coach Stevie Ritchie was disappointed with the result and pointed to the number of players unavailable through injury, illness and other engagements. Yet again he was pleased with the individual efforts of those called up to the side but will be working hard on set pieces over the next weeks.
He said: “We will take a lot of lessons from today and we will be working hard in training over the next few weeks. We will have to put the result behind us and look forward to the next game against Cooke and getting back on track in the league.”
At the match Coleraine were the first to claim points. With three minutes on the clock Coleraine were well into Dromore territory when they were awarded a penalty and Alan Gourley made sure of three points with a well judged kick.
Four minutes later it was Dromore on the offensive, creating an overlap and setting up a score under the posts. The conversion was on target.
Both sides had opportunities during the next period but it was the home side to score again on 22 minutes with a penalty. Five minutes later Gourley’s penalty attempt from a difficult angle fell short.
As the half came to a close Dromore again attacked and produced a narrow overlap. Despite the close attention of the Coleraine defence Dromore squeezed across the line in the corner for the try. The conversion was short and the half time scoreline was 15-3 in favour of Dromore.
Five minutes into the second half Dromore used their superior weight to rumble across the line from a five-metre scrum and picked up a converted try.
Coleraine picked up their only try on 17 minutes when Brian Cochrane took possession on the wing. He chipped on, chased and gathered the ball before running in for five points. Gourley converted to give Coleraine a glimmer of hope at 22-10.
Within ten minutes Dromore again took control of proceedings. After a series of forward surges they again forced their way over the line for an unconverted try in the corner.
Five minutes later Dromore claimed three points from a penalty and then in the last minutes of the game the pack forged their way towards the line and Dromore took advantage of another overlap to score in the corner. The conversion was wide and the final scoreline was Dromore 35 Coleraine 10, earning the home side a bonus point in addition to a much needed win.
In the latter stages of the game Coleraine’s Peter O’Hara suffered an injury to his right arm. As we go to press it is thought Peter suffered a serious break and the club wish him a speedy recovery.
The next league action for Coleraine Firsts is away to Cooke on November 16.
In other matches the results were: Coleraine seconds 10 Omagh Seconds 6, Omagh Thirds 69 Coleraine Thirds 0, Coleraine Fourths 29 B.H.S.F.P. Seconds 19.
Coleraine First XV: A Stirling, S Evans, A nevin, R Cochrane, D Ramage, J Christie, J Cromie, K Calladine, C Archibald, Alan Gourley, J Henderson, S Patterson, N Cochrane, P O’Hara, Alex Gourley. Subs: H Tate, P McGonigle
