1st XV vs Ballynahinch (24 – 5)
Ulster Senior League
Dungannon were celebrating their first ever back to back Ulster Senior League wins when they beat Ballynahinch to get the points needed to retain the Stevenson Shield.
Playing with the advantage of a very stiff breeze Dungannon were first to draw blood. Following a Hinch infringement Rowan Halsall took a quick tap and sent Mark O’Shea away. Mark broke a tackle and made ground up to the twenty-two, When the ball was recycled it went right along the line to Mark Jenkinson who sent the flying David Egner away for an excellent try after five minutes. Michael Lawton converted.
This conversion took Michael up to the 300 points mark for the season. A feat not achieved by many players.
7 – 0
The Dungannon pack and the back row in particular produced some good attacking rugby but although Dungannon were on top Hinch were competing for everything and possession was hard won. The scoreboard was not disturbed again until the thirty-ninth minute when Gannon forced a penalty in the Hinch twenty-two.
Michael Lawton had no difficulty converting but the Faithful were wondering was a ten point advantage enough in the windy conditions.
10 – 0
They need not have worried. David Egner followed up a kick, jumped well above his normal height to secure possession and made ground into the Hinch half. After a couple of phases Michael Kirkwood made a strong break into the Ballynahinch twenty-two where he managed to slip the ball to the fast supporting Adam Duhig who somehow bustled and bounced his way over for another good try on forty-five minutes. Michael Lawton converted.
17 – 0
With Tim Smith, Callum Threlfall, Rowan Halsall and James McMahon putting in some significant carries Ballynahinch did well to keep the scoreboard at 17. Eventually a series of drives took Dungannon into the Ballynahinch twenty-two. Glen Sinnamon broke blind close to the touchline and timed his pass perfectly for Mark Jenkinson to steam over for his second try of the month. Michael Lawton converted with a superb kick in the sixty-third minute. 24 – 0.
Hinch came back and a great drive after seventy-five minutes resulted in a try for Jonny Graham.
24 – 5
Despite a disallowed try for Callum Threlfall and a second yellow card for the unfortunate Stuart McCloskey there was no further score. The Dungannon contingent was very happy at the end of the eighty minutes.
The retention of the Stevenson Shield is a great achievement but the manner of this goal is also noteworthy, with eight bonus point wins out of ten, 372 points scored including forty-nine tries, this reflects the quality of rugby played by the squad.
Fitzy was very happy afterwards, “This is a well deserved reward for the hard work the entire squad have put in over the season. Back to back Stevenson Shield wins is also a historic achievement when you consider we have been playing as a Club for 139 years.”
Team: Michael Lawton. Mark O’Shea, Paul McKenzie, Stuart McCloskey, David Egner. Jaryd Bennett, Michael Kirkwood. Glen Sinnamon, Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar. Mark Jenkinson (Capt), Timothy Smith. Callum Threlfall, Rowan Halsall, James McMahon. Paul Jackson, Philip Whyte, Paul McCarroll, Jason Bloomfield, Stuart Lester
Referee: Oisin Quinn (Randalstown)
Tries: .David Egner, Adam Duhig & Mark Jenkinson
Conversions: Michael Lawton (3)
Penalties: Michael Lawton
4th XV vs Cooke (73 – 12)
Magners Junior League
“This was a super victory over one of the best teams in the League,” enthused injured captain Julian Knipe after the game. Indeed with thirteen tries this was a virtual feast of rugby.
Dungannon opened the scoring with a brace of tries by Chris Blair on four and twelve minutes.
Between the tries a massive turnover by young Charlie Sargaison almost resulted in a try for Brian Simpson.
10 – 0
On twenty minutes a quick tap by Andrew Holmes almost resulted in a try but when he was stopped the lively Andrew Girvan was on hand to drive over.
15 – 0
Four minutes later Girvan was the instigator when he turned over ball on halfway and after making good ground offloaded to Kirby Hamilton, Richard Fletcher then took play up to the Cooke twenty-two. The recycled ball saw Andrew Holmes squeeze through a gap to touch down. Cormac Convery converted.
22 – 0
Following a Fletcher penalty to the corner we had a Lucas try. Gareth took the ball and Rodney stole it off him to touch down and claim the try. Cormac Convery added the extras with a superb touch line conversion after half an hour
29 – 0
On thirty-four minutes quick thinking by Richard Fletcher made space for Charlie Sargaison to bullock his way over. Cormac again converted.
36 – 0
On thirty-eight minutes Andrew Holmes took a crash ball to score his second try of the afternoon, Cormac again converted.
43 – 0
On forty minutes a show and go by Richard Fletcher took him through the gap and when he drew the fullback Andrew Holmes was on hand to race over for his hat trick.
48 – 0
Four minutes into the second half a Brian Simpson run brought play into the Cooke twenty-two; Charlie Sargaison then took play deep into the twenty-two. When the ball was recycled the incredible Holmes, seeing the Cooke defence was lying flat, chipped over the top, gathered the kick and dived over for the try.
53 – 0
Unfortunately Chris Blair had to leave the field with an injury before we had three thoroughly deserved tries from Brian Simpson, Cormac Convery and Jeremy Baird on forty-seven, fifty and fifty-six minutes.
68 – 0
All credit to Cooke, after an hours play and being very much on the receiving end they scored a try and then went on to score a converted try.
68 – 12
However the last word went to Dungannon and that rejuvenated centre of gravity that is Steven Martin. Vice captain Martie got the biggest cheer of the day when he took Richard Fletcher’s perfectly timed pass and beat three defenders to dive over for the final try in the last minute.
73 – 12
A very good performance from the IVs but they need to keep repeating this for the last four league games of the season.
Team: Christopher Blair. Brian Simpson, Cormac Convery, Steven Martin, Kevin McElduff. Andrew Holmes, Richard Fletcher. Charlie Sargaison, Rodney Lucas, Wallace McKay. Gareth Lucas, Adam Booth. Jeremy Baird, Kirby Hamilton, Andrew Girvan…
Referee: Justin Gerring
Tries: Christopher Blair (2), Andrew Girvan, Andrew Holmes (4), Rodney Lucas, Charlie Sargaison, Brian Simpson, Cormac Convery, Jeremy Baird & Steven Martin.
Conversions: Cormac Convery (4)
Penalties:
Drop Goal
Under 17 vs Limavady (28 – 7)
Under17 Cup
A cold, windy, rainy day mixed with sunshine proved to be a good cocktail for the Under 17’s who served up some good rugby in this Cup first round to beat Limavady 28-7.
Limavady had an enormous pack; Ding reckoned they were 100kg heavier than ours. Dungannon started on the front foot penetrating the Host’s 22 with some great rucking and lay-off play. We dominated the scrums and this proved to be the catalyst for a masterful performance. One try in particular started from a five metre lineout which was taken to hand by JJ Kane, slipped back and the rolling maul driven to the try line. With a mighty effort Limavady managed to hold up the try attempt. The ensuing scrum to Dungannon was quickly dispersed only to be picked up by Marc Magahan who drove over the line for the try. A text book effort which any International side would have been proud of.
Dungannon built on this opening try with further scores from A Lee, Matthew McIlvenna, and Paul Herron. Marcus Mulgrew had one conversation and two penalties to his name.
With only minutes to go the ref awarded a penalty try to Limavady for hands in ruck by Dungannon.
Coaches George E Devlin and Richard Bell emphasised that the game was won by a squad of players who were committed and had the belief to win the game.
Well done Lads, here is to a good cup run.
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[youtube w72eOkj_XYI]
