1st XV vs Ballymena (9 – 12)
First Trust Ulster Senior Cup
Holders, Dungannon are out of the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup. At rain drenched Stevenson Park Ballymena emerged winners on a 4-3 penalty count. David O’Hara was the match winner for Ballymena while Michael Lawton converted three for the home side. Dungannon may have been missing a number of regulars due to Ulster A call ups but it would be unfair to criticise their replacements as all of them played their part in a very close contest.
Ballymena faced the breeze in the first half and they started well with some good runs down the middle from fullback, John Semple and new Springbok centre, Richard Aingworth. That said, the Dungannon defence was equal to the task with Stuart McCloskey and Paul McKenzie pulling off some fine tackles. The home side then moved forward and when the Braid men were penalised Michael Lawton hit the upright with a penalty on ten minutes. Five minutes later he went one better to give Dungannon a 3-0 lead. The home side remained on the offensive and when the ball was spread to the left David Egner went close before being bundled into touch. Ballymena were then pinged for ‘holding’ and Michael Lawton doubled the Dungannon advantage from the tee. Back came Ballymena and when awarded a penalty, Martin Irwin drilled the ball to the corner.
Two successive drives were held up thanks to good defensive work by the home pack where Craig Miller and Adam Duhig were outstanding. Ballymena were then awarded a penalty and O’Hara decided to take the points to make it 6-3. After the restart notable darts from Mark O’Shea and Michael Kirkwood made good ground before Jaryd Bennett sliced a drop goal attempt just before the half time whistle.
David Egner did well to field the Dungannon restart and that put the home side on the offensive. Once more the attack was spoiled by a penalty for ‘holding’ and the Braid men took advantage. At the other end Irwin went close with a drop goal before O’Hara brought the sides level, 6-6, with a penalty on fifty-two minutes. Come the hour mark Ballymena were still playing the rugby in the Dungannon half when Michael Lawton called for a ‘mark’. It was not awarded and when Gannon tried to run from defence they were penalised. O‘Hara missed that one but made amends on sixty-five and sixty-eight minutes when he landed two shots to give Ballymena a 12-6 lead.
Dungannon retorted and a superb short pass from Jaryd Bennett to the speeding Paul McKenzie looked odds on for a try. To the surprise of Dungannon and the relief of Ballymena the referee somehow deemed the pass forward and Ballymena were relieved to take the scrum. Michael Lawton then gave Dungannon hope with a well struck forty-five metre penalty that cut the deficit to three points. The Dungannon pack then moved forward for the winning score but a turnover denied them and Ballymena held out until the final whistle.
It is two years since Dungannon lost a Senior Cup game and on that occasion the victors were Queen’s who went on to win the competition. Perhaps Ballymena will do exactly that this season. They are now the only Ulster Bank Division I side going into the semi-final draw.
Team: Mark O’Shea. Michael Lawton, Paul McKenzie, Stuart McCloskey, David Egner..Jaryd Bennett, Michael Kirkwood. Glen Sinnamon, Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar. Craig Miller, Paul McCarroll. Derek Hall (Captain), James McMahon, Callum Threlfall. Philip Whyte, Steven Sinnamon, Richard Holmes Timothy Smith, Jason Bloomfield
Referee: Michael Black
Tries:
Conversions:
Penalty: Michael Lawton (3)
2nd XV vs City Of Derry (22 – 12)
2 XV League
Full credit to both teams in a game dominated by the atrocious overhead conditions at Judges Road. The players all gave one hundred percent and made surprisingly few handling mistakes. In the end the control of the game by the Dungannon halfbacks won the day for the visitors.
Dungannon could not have asked for a better start. A break from a lineout by flanker Jonny Smith was stopped five metres short. Then a poor tap at the lineout to Gareth McGonigle gave him the opportunity to wrong foot the Derry defence; he stepped through, broke a tackle and sprinted over between the posts. Robin McCleary claimed the tee and cracked over the conversion with aplomb.
0 – 7
On ten minutes Derry capitalised on a Dungannon defensive mistake and although the scramble defence kept them out initially the Derry men made the visit count when Mike Ryan drove over for a try.
5 – 7
Unfortunately Dungannon lost the promising Charlie Sargaison with an injury after twenty minutes. This resulted in the dreaded uncontested scrums.
Despite being a man down Dungannon kept the pressure on Derry, the half backs kept it tight, the best option in the conditions. The pack with the brothers Smith prominent took the game to Derry. On several occasions when Derry got decent possession the centre partnership of Graham and Simpson, especially Gareth Graham stopped the attack at source with solid first time tackles. Another dangerous Derry attack broke down when Alan Cummings and Brian Simpson turned over possession and Alan cleared to touch. Daniel McElroy showed his threat with a thirty metre run that took out a couple of defenders before he was brought down. Hooker Paul Jackson and Neill McGinley turned over a Derry attack and allowed skipper McGonigle to put a perfect kick into the Derry twenty-two. Derry cleared their lines and halftime arrived, with Dungannon in the lead and the rain as heavy as ever.
Dungannon started the second half well with a break by Darren Simpson supported by brother Brian bringing play up to the Derry twenty-two. Peter Smith made good ground on a couple of occasion but the support was not there to capitalise on the situation. On fifty-five minutes Derry were penalised and Gareth McGonigle converted the resultant penalty.
5 – 10
Derry then pressurised Dungannon, they put together their best attack of the game and after at least twelve phases their efforts culminated in a try for Cathal Creggan. David Murdock converted to regain the lead for Derry. David Murdock converted on the hour.
12 – 10
Dungannon fought back and got themselves into a scoring position thanks to good work from Rab McCleary, Neil McGinley and Jonny Smith.
After five phase flanker Jonny Smith forced his way over when Brian Simpson was tackled short. Gareth McGonigle converted with a good kick in the seventy-fifth minute.
12 – 17
Two minutes later Richard Fletcher broke away and when tackled offloaded to the supporting Robin McCleary who ran over for the try.
12 – 22
The rain got heavier and was it very uncomfortable when Ref Pickles blew for time. Full marks to Michael Pickles who had a good game and refereed sensibly in the terrible conditions.
As a game this never reached any great heights in the quality stakes but playing with fourteen men for sixty minutes Dungannon produced a gritty, gutsy performance that they will be proud of. Everyone played his part. The pack with the brothers Smith to the fore fought for every ball, the halfbacks played exactly the right game in the conditions. Centres Gareth Graham and Darren Simpson rocked their opposite numbers with some great tackles. Brain Simpson and Alan Cummings defended faultlessly and chased down several kicks from McGonigle and Fletcher. Daniel McElroy, in his first game of adult rugby grew in confidence after a couple of surging runs. Neil McGinley had a good game and David McKay scavenged doggedly. Paul Jackson put in an assured performance although one of his deft little kicks failed to hit the target! Lorcan Martin in addition to his lineout work grafted hard in the tight. Big Rab kicked the first conversion, did sterling work in the lineout and then scored the try that sealed the win. Stevenson Pak was holding its breath as it awaited his return.
David Kennedy was full of praise for his charges afterwards especially those who took up the invitation to travel to Judges Road without hesitation.
Team: Alan Cummings. Brian Simpson, Darren Simpson, Gareth Graham, Daniel McElroy. Richard Fletcher, Gareth McGonigle (Capt). Charlie Sargaison, Paul Jackson, Neil McGinley. Lorcan Martin, Robin McCleary. David McKay, Jonathan Smith, Peter Smith.
Referee: Michael Pickles (Enniskillen)
Tries: Gareth McGonigle, Jonathan Smith & Robin McCleary
Conversions: Robin McCleary & Gareth McGonigle
Penalties: Gareth McGonigle
