1st XV vs BALLYNAHINCH (21 – 25)
Ulster Bank All Ireland League
If ever there was a good advertisement for All Ireland League rugby this was it. A large crowd turned up for this promising derby game at Stevenson Park on Friday night and they certainly got good value for money. League leaders, Ballynahinch snatched the spoils by a four point margin and just about deserved to do so in a game that was ‘nip and tuck’ all the way. For Dungannon it was a disappointing result, but it will also be a test of character for their young players especially.
James Lash missed an early penalty for Hinch but Dungannon went on to dominate the opening quarter, especially up front. Paddy Jackson nailed a penalty on nine minutes and the home side kept the momentum going until a chip ahead was well fielded by David Nicholson who put Hinch on the front foot. On fifteen minutes a penalty allowed Lash to level the score. Two minutes later Jackson put Dungannon back in front with his second penalty. Then yellow (card) fever struck and the home side player an entire quarter with fourteen men. First Conor Gaston saw yellow for not releasing in the tackle and then Adam Duhig for encouraging a player to move onside. Ballynahinch pushed forward to take advantage but the Dungannon pack held firm. In the end the numerical difference told when Ballynahinch moved the ball wide for Aaron Ferris to squeeze in at the corner on the half hour. Dungannon were not to be outdone though and a strong finish to the half saw them rewarded when Ali Birch crashed over in the corner to leave the half-time score at 11 – 8.
There was a frantic start to the second half, when Dungannon moved forward Hinch were caught offside. Paddy Jackson banged over the resultant penalty to extend the Dungannon lead. Hinch responded immediately and following a good forward surge Paddy McAllister galloped in at the posts. Lash popped over the conversion and the Down men went one point clear on forty-two minutes. Five minutes later Paddy Jackson went close with a penalty before a Hinch clearance kick was charged down. Dungannon reacted quickly, recycling the ball for Conor Gaston to put Chris Cochrane away on fifty-six minutes. Paddy Jackson landed a superb conversion to make it 21-15.
However, Hinch retaliated and scored a great try of their own with a back line movement down the left flank for Stuart Morrow to send Nicholson away. Lash’s conversion made it 22-21 in favour of the visitors. The pace of the game slowed down in the final quarter with Lash adding another penalty on seventy-eight minutes.
The Dungannon pack hit back and when Hinch were pinned down in the corner there were anxious seconds for all concerned until the final whistle blew. Dungannon did gain a losing bonus point and should have got more but Hinch played a clever game and Dungannon never got the momentum they needed to take the game.
Team: Peter Nelson. Conor Gaston, Paul McKenzie, Chris Farrell, Christopher Cochrane. Paddy Jackson, Jason Bloomfield. Glen Sinnamon, Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar. Craig Miller, Mark Jenkinson (Capt). Derek Hall, Ali Birch, Callum Threlfall Ali Birch. Philip Whyte, Timothy Smith, James McMahon, Stuart McCloskey, Mark O’Shea.
Referee: Kevin Beggs
Tries: Ali Birch & Christopher Cochrane.
Conversions: Paddy Jackson
Penalty: Paddy Jackson (3)
2nd XV vs Ballynahinch (17 – 0)
Millar McCall Wylie Ulster Junior Cup
DunDungannon IIs are through to the next round of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup but it was a dour struggle to see off the holders, Ballynahinch at a grey and greasy Stevenson Park. The first quarter was evenly contested with the Dungannon front row of Charlie Sargaison, Paul Jackson and Steven Sinnamon doing well to thwart some excellent mauling by the visitors. Meanwhile, the home backs showed their class running from defence and they certainly lit up the scene with a well taken try by Stuart McCloskey on twenty-three minutes. Michael Lawton landed the simple conversion to make it 7-0. Closer to the interval a foul on Paul McCarroll earned a penalty. However, Michael Lawton couldn’t find the target on this occasion.
Dungannon kicked direct to touch at the start of the second half. This put Hinch on the front foot but they failed to take advantage although Jonny Coen was close with a penalty award on the hour mark. Going into the last quarter the game still looked liked finishing on a single score when Dungannon upped the ante. Mark O’Shea went on a sweeping run going left when he suddenly switched the attack to the right. He delivered a useful angled chip to the corner, although Darren Simpson over ran the ball all was not lost as a penalty award saw Michael Lawton give Dungannon a crucial ten point lead on seventy-three minutes.
Two yellow cards, one to each side had little effect before Michael Kirkwood finally sealed the issue with a great try at the posts deep in injury time. Michael Lawton popped over the conversion to leave the final score at 17-0 to Dungannon.
Team: Michael Lawton. Darren Simpson, Mark O’Shea, Stuart McCloskey, David Egner. Jaryd Bennett, Michael Kirkwood. Charlie Sargaison, Paul Jackson, Steven Sinnamon. Rodney Blair, Paul McCarroll. Richard Holmes (Captain), James McMahon, Peter Smith. Adam Lockhart, Gareth McGonigle
Referee: David Coey
Tries: Stuart McCloskey & Michael Kirkwood
Conversions: Michael Lawton (2)
Penalties: Michael Lawton
4th XV vs Ards (23 – 18)
Junior League
At a windy and damp underfoot Hamilton Park the IV XV kept their unbeaten record against a good Ards team.
Dungannon started with a bang when after some good work by the pack Jeremy Turkington took a crash ball and powered over for the try that Richard Wright converted.
0 – 7
Within minutes a pacy move by the backs saw Alan Cummings race in from thirty metres out Richard Wright again converted.
0 – 14
Richard Wright then kicked penalty after Ards were penalised for hands in the ruck.
0-17
From the restart three of Dungannon’s most experienced players conspired to fumble the ball and give Ards an opportunity that they took advantage of by scoring a converted try.
7 – 17
This gave Ards some confidence which they converted into momentum and eventually a second try prior to halftime.
12 – 17
In the second half the swirling wind settled against Dungannon but it did not deter Richard Wright as he converted the first penalty of the second half. Shortly after Ards responded in kind.
15 – 20
The game ebbed and flowed with Richard Wright and his Ards counterpart exchanging penalties before the ref blew for no side.
15 – 23
Dungannon captain Julian Knipe praised his players; with two newcomers to adult rugby and ten changes from their last outing he thought they stuck to their task, “Ards certainly made a game of it but the boys settled well and by keeping the score ticking over we were always able to control the game.”
Team: Cormac Convery. Brian Simpson, Mark Faloon, Gareth Graham, Alan Cummings. Richard Wright, Julian Knipe (Capt). Andrew Smyth, Ally Moore, Steven Gavin. Ryan Stinson, Robin McCleary. Fergal Mallon, Jeremy Turkington, Marc Lawson.
Referee: Niall McLean
Tries: Jeremy Turkington & Alan Cummings.
Conversions: Richard Wright (2)
Penalties: Richard Wright (3)
