Magners Junior League. This was a good performance by the IVs. Although under pressure in the first quarter Ards defended stoutly and Dungannon had to wait until almost half time before they scored an all important second try and ran out convincing winners 48-0.
The first minute produced a significant clash that mirrored the first thirty minutes. An Ards player determinedly ran out of defence. Unfortunately he ran into Stephen Donaghy who stopped the move in its tracks and ripped the ball from the surprised ball carrier. Sustained pressure from Dungannon led to three penalties from virtually the same spot in front of the posts on the Ards twenty-two. Young Cormac Convery slotted over all three penalties in the sixth, twelfth and nineteenth minutes.
9 – 0
A lineout steal by Clive Weir set Andrew Holmes off, Steven Martin kept the move going before Kevin McElduff and Cormac Convery brought play into the Ards twenty-two. Rookie flanker Philip Hall then set up a surge that ended with a penalty lineout. A great drive saw Stephen Donaghy move towards the posts, when the ball was recycled Richard Fletcher benefitted from Ricky Wright’s quick hands and cut through for a fine try after thirty-one minutes. Cormac Convery added the extras.
16 – 0
Richard Wright put Gannon on the offensive from the restart with a box kick that Eddie Laverty followed up and put the Ards fullback under pressure. Gannon won possession but a chip ahead was defended by Ards. More good work by the Dungannon back row of Hall, Donaghy and Jeremy Baird kept Ards on the back foot. When Donaghy clattered into four Ards players the recycled ball quickly went through the hands of Wright, Fletcher, Martin and Andrew Holmes to the supporting Convery. Cormac got past his man and passed to Kevin McElduff who beat his man and used his strength to make the touchdown. A superb try at any level on thirty-eight minutes.
21 – 0
Steven Martin set the second half alight with an exorcet like run into the heart of the Ards defence. Andrew Holmes and Kirby Hamilton moved the ball up to the Ards twenty-two where Cormac Convery’s chip over the top caused a certain amount of panic. Following an Ards scrum a failed grubber kick was collected neatly by Richard Fletcher who race away from twenty-five metres out to score after forty-five minutes.
26 – 0
More good running by Holmes, Convery and Eddie Laverty brought play into the Ards twenty-two again. Following an imperious lineout take by Weir props Ally Moore and Wallace McKay drove towards the Ards line. Stephen Donaghy brought play into space before Ricky Wright and Andrew Holmes sent Cormac Convery through for another good try on fifty-two minutes. Cormac again added the extras.
33 – 0
At the restart a magnificent run by Richard Fletcher from his twenty-two up to half was equalled by a magnificent pass but it was to an Ards player! Some good work from Stephen Donaghy and Steven Martin allowed Andrew Holmes to power away for a try on fifty-five minutes.
38 – 0
More solid defensive work by McKay and Moore stopped an Ards drive and saw Stephen Donaghy make a break, Ricky Wright then sent Fletcher off on a burst and when he offloaded Steven Martin was on hand to send Jeremy Baird on a run for the try line. The curly haired Baird had some work to do but showed both experience and common sense as he kept up his pace and protected possession for the try on sixty-five minutes.
43 – 0
The final say went to Gareth Lucas who led the team extremely well keeping the minds on the task in hand whilst producing a towering performance in the engine room. A Dungannon lineout was driven to the line where Gareth gained the touchdown.
48 – 0
A good performance by the IVs who played some good rugby. Whilst this was a good team performance with all fifteen playing their part the big men in the pack, Weir, Lucas and Donaghy made a significant contribution allowing the halfbacks to use their potent back line.
This leaves the boys with two must win games to play, Tuesday night away to Carrick IIIs and next Saturday in Dromore. As injured skipper Julian Knight said, “Only two wins will do. With all the work the squad have put in this season it would a just reward for us to take the League but Carrick and Dromore will give us nothing. It is up to us and thankfully our destiny is in our hands.”
Team: Cormac Convery. Kevin McElduff. Andrew Holmes, Steven Martin, Edward Laverty. Richard Fletcher, Richard Wright. Ally Moore, Kirby Hamilton, Wallace McKay. Gareth Lucas (Capt), Clive Weir. Philip Hall, Jeremy Baird, Stephen Donaghy.
Referee: Alan Wilson
Tries: Richard Fletcher (2), Kevin McElduff, Cormac Convery, Andrew Holmes, Jeremy Baird & Gareth Lucas
Conversions: Cormac Convery (2)
Penalties: Cormac Convery (3)
Drop Goal
