3rd XV vs Ballynahinch (19 – 8)
Junior League
The season could not have started better for the IIIs, within the first minute centre Geoffrey Blair intercepted and went over for a try between the posts. Jonny Smith converted.
0 – 7
After three minutes Hinch replied with a penalty.
3 – 7
After the initial score the game never flowed and was quite scrappy. On twenty minutes following some good work by Chris Williamson and Mark Thompson the ball was quickly passed to Colm Smith who showed a clean pair of heels to the opposition as he raced in from the halfway.
3 – 12
Dungannon were on top and were now putting the phases together better. Adam Lockhart and Neil McGinley were doing good work and when David Irwin produced a crunching tackle turnover ball gave the emergency out half Andrew Holmes the opportunity to dander through for a try that Jonny Smith converted.
3 – 19
The second half was scrappy, although Jonny Smith’s heading of the ball and interchange with Colm Smith almost produced a try, unfortunately the move was stopped to the joy of the partisan home support. However Hinch did get a try late in the half following a penalty.
8 – 19
A good away win for Dungannon but they will admit there is a bit of work to do if they are to secure their objective of promotion to Section One.
Team: Jonathan Smith. Angus Dines, Geoffrey Blair, Jordan Patterson, Colm Smith. Andrew Holmes, Julian Knipe. Adam Lockhart, Neil McGinley, Steven Gavin. David Irwin, Stephen Gavin. Christopher Williamson, Mark Thompson, Christopher Holland.
Referee: John Adams
Tries Geoffrey Blair, Colm Smith & Andrew Holmes.
Cons: Jonathan Smith (2)
2nd XV vs Malone (34 – 3)
2 XV League
On a good afternoon for rugby Dungannon started slowly and had to be satisfied with Jaryd Bennett penalty on seven minutes.
3 – 0
The match came to life when Rob McCleary had a massive tackle on a Malone forward. Although this galvanised the pack into action Malone were next to score with a penalty through Tim Durkin on thirty-six minutes.
3 – 3
Before the break Jaryd Bennett regained the lead for Dungannon with his second penalty.
6 – 3
Ten minutes into the second half Jaryd Bennett used Alan Cummings to engineer some space and when Cummings was tackled he popped the ball to Darren Simpson for Dazzler to race in under the posts. Jaryd Bennett converted.
13 – 3
On fifty-five minutes Darren beat two defenders as he raced in for his second try and drew level with his brother Brian on two tries for the season. Jaryd Bennett again converted.
20 – 3
Malone then put Gannon under pressure but Dungannon had more to come. Possibly it was inspired by sibling rivalry but we were treated to a ‘Brian kick’, a well known phenomena in Dungannon rugby circles. These apparently aimless hoofs frequently bear fruit. On this occasion Brian was fed by David Spence on halfway, the ‘Brian kick’ was underestimated by the opposition. Brian followed up his kick and hacked on in the twenty-two before touching down between the posts to put him one try ahead of brother Darren. Jaryd Converted.
27 – 3
On seventy-nine minutes Alan Cummings got his reward for a good afternoon’s work when he got the ball at pace and cut inside to score under the posts. Jaryd converted to bring his tally to twelve points.
34 – 3
Another good result for the IIIs with a much better second half performance.
Team: Gareth Graham. Alan Cummings, Darren Simpson, Gareth McGonigle, Brian Simpson. Jaryd Bennett, David Spence. Charlie Sargaison, Adam Boyle, Steven Sinnamon. Rodney Blair, Robin McCleary. Richard Holmes (Captain), Peter Smith, David McKay.
Referee: Jonny Gillespie
Tries: Darren Simpson (2), Brian Simpson & Alan Cummings
Cons: Jaryd Bennett (4)
Pen: Jaryd Bennett (2)
