1st XV vs Armagh (20 – 21) Ulster Senior League
Dungannon’s hopes of completing the Ulster League programme undefeated were dashed in the final minute of this close encounter at the Palace Grounds. Armagh trailed 18-20 going into the final minute until a huge drop goal from out-half, James McBriar left the Armagh supporters singing in the rain. For the Ulster League winners it was a disappointing result but take nothing away from Armagh they fronted up in an abrasive display that earned them the one point win.
Rain greeted the start of this local derby before Michael Lawton gave the visitors a lead on two minutes with a penalty. Armagh struck back in kind one minute later when McBriar levelled matters.
3 – 3
Penalty awards dominated the to and fro style before McBriar struck for his second on ten minutes. Dungannon then displayed their useful running style when Jaryd Bennett set the backs in motion for winger, Stuart Lester to run clear after fifteen minutes. Michael Lawton converted.
6 – 10
Armagh responded with some lively action up front but McBriar missed the target twice midway through the half. Scrum-half, Harry Doyle then tried a ‘chip and chase’ but the alert Darren Simpson touched down for a drop out. Just when the half looked like finishing without further scores Dungannon were rocked by a penalty try. A slight obstruction on Josh Morton as a he chased a Tim McNeice grubber saw referee, Patton run over to the posts and award a penalty try. James McBriar converted giving Armagh the lead at the break.
13 – 10
Three minutes into the second half Josh Morton earned a try from play when Armagh swept the ball wide to send him in at the corner.
18 – 10
The home side now had their tails up but a degree of urgency from the visitors paved the way for another Lawton penalty.
18 – 13
Going into the final quarter Dungannon swooped with good work from Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar and Glen Sinnamon leading to a Paul McKenzie break. Michael Lawton was up in support and he touched down to level matters at 18-18 on sixty-five minutes. The same player added the conversion to put Dungannon back in front.
18 – 20
Stung by this reversal, Armagh used their pack to strike back. Dungannon remained cool in defence despite a very late tackle on Lawton. Undeterred, the visitors kept the pressure on and when they failed in a ‘chip and chase’ the referee took play all the way back to a lineout where a good catch saw Harry Doyle set McBriar up for that dramatic finish.
21 – 20
A good display by Andrew Hughes’ men shows what leveller local derbies can be.
Now we must regroup for Buccaneers next Saturday.
Team: Michael Lawton. Stuart Lester, Paul McKenzie, Mark O’Shea, Darren Simpson. Jaryd Bennett, Michael Kirkwood. Glen Sinnamon, Paul Jackson, Philip Whyte. Paul McCarroll, Timothy Smith. Adam Duhig, Rowan Halsall, James McMahon., Mark Farquhar, Ben Howard, Jason Bloomfield, Paul Magee
Referee: Mark Patton (Academy)
Tries: Stuart Lester & Michael Lawton
Conversions: Michael Lawton
Penalties: Michael Lawton
2nd XV vs Armagh (6 – 24) 2 XV League
Dungannon showed eleven changes for this trip to the Palace Grounds and following a slow start settled down to a fairly even contest. It was 10-6 going into the final quarter before Armagh sealed the issue with two converted tries.
Armagh’s bright start saw Jonny Steenson go close with a penalty in the third minute. At the other end Paul Magee almost sent Brian Simpson away but the home defence stood firm. Come the twelfth minute Armagh went seven points clear. Robbie Faloon, cousin of Ulster’s Willie, made the initial break before Ethan Allen burst through for Steenson to convert.
7 – 0
Midway through a penalty strewn first half Rob McCleary cut the deficit with a huge effort from the tee. Five minutes later his second award fell short before a notable break from out-half, Ben Kennedy tested the home defence. Armagh led by four points at the break.
7 – 3
In an evenly contested third quarter the four point gap was maintained with both sides hitting the target with penalties.
10 – 6
However, in the final quarter Armagh put the issue beyond doubt when scrum-half, Fred Cuttle raced away to score from a quick free on sixty-eight minutes. Then, in the closing stages lock forward, Brian Bassett galloped in. Steenson converted both for a deserved if not slightly flattering win.
24 – 6
Team: Cormac Convery Conor Willis, Philip Hall, Paul Magee, Brian Simpson. Ben Kennedy, Jake Finlay. Ben Howard, Kirby Hamilton, Steven Gavin, Robin McCleary, Hamish McGibbon. Jonathan Gordan, Alan Cummings
Referee: Neil Spottiswoode
Tries:
Conversions: Robin McCleary (2)
Penalties :
3rd XV vs Ballymoney (8 – 16) Crawford Cup
Ballymoney brought a large support with them and they were not disappointed as the North Antrim men won a hard fought contest.
Ballymoney caught Dungannon cold when a determined forward drive up to the Dungannon line was sustained and on five minutes scrum half Stuart Nevin dived over for a try converted by James Campbell.
0 – 7
On fifteen minutes Plunkett McCallon sent his second penalty attempt between the sticks to reduce the arrears.
3 – 7
Dungannon had the bulk of possession but made little progress against a solid Ballymoney defence. Andrew Holmes made the half break but the support was beaten to it but Ballymoney’s tacklers.
On thirty-eight minutes Ballymoney were more than fortunate when they were awarded a penalty instead of Dungannon a scrum as David Spence was penalised for knocking the ball out of his opposite numbers hands. James Campbell converted.
3 – 10
The third quarter was fairly nip and tuck but Ballymoney got the vital first score when James Campbell knocked over his second penalty.
3 -13
Dungannon with Andrew Holmes, Simon Potter, Adam Lockhart, Peter Knightley and Philip McCammon in the van were now throwing everything at Ballymoney. They were unfortunate when with Jerome McClure waiting unmarked ten metres from the Ballymoney line a ‘lazy runner’ tackled David Spence as he was about to deliver the try scoring pass. Gannon got their score seven minutes later when a penalty lineout led to a drive and a yellow card for a Ballymoney forward before another lineout taken by David Irwin was superbly driven over with Philip McCammon getting the touch down on seventy-five minutes.
8 – 13
Within one score of a win Gannon went for the try but Ballymoney cleared their lines and were again awarded a penalty that James Campbell dispatched with a fine kick give the men from the Toon breathing space.
8 – 16
Gannon attacked until the final whistle but Ballymoney held firm to go forward to the Crawford Cup final.
Dungannon will be very disappointed with their performance on the day. They did not make good use of ample possession and made too many errors. Ballymoney played with more enthusiasm and deserved their win.
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Team: Edward Laverty. Jonny Toal, Andrew Caddoo, Andrew Holmes, Jerome McClure. Gareth Graham, David Spence. Charlie Sargaison, Simon Potter, Adam Lockhart. Plunkett McCallon, Richard Holmes, David Irwin (Capt), Philip McCammon, Peter Keightley, Subs:Gareth McMullan, Andrew Girvan, Christopher Williamson, Christopher Holland, Philip Stinson
Referee: David Horner
Tries: Philip McCammon
Conversions: Plunkett McCallon
Penalties:
