2nd XV vs Ballymoney (22 – 17)
Kukri Conference League
The II XV had another successful game in the Kukri Conference League with a 22-17 win over Ballymoney at Kilraughts Road.
Ballymoney controlled the game for most of the first quarter retaining possession and playing for territory. Dungannon defended well keeping play outside their twenty-two and keeping their discipline. Ballymoney’s heavier pack retained possession well but again the vigorous defence of Stephen Todd and Daryl Marshall made it hard for the home side to create a proper attacking platform. A Dungannon turnover and quick feet by centre Andrew Caddoo got Dungannon into the Ballymoney half for the first time and almost resulted in a try for Darren Simpson, alas the final pass was deemed forward. This highlighted for Ballymoney the danger that Dungannon could pose on the break. When Ballymoney conceded a penalty Christopher Henderson converted to give Dungannon the lead.
0 – 3
After the restart a Dungannon player infringed and Ballymoney levelled the score with a penalty.
3 – 3.
Dungannon were now starting to control the game with their halfbacks keeping pressure on the home side, this resulted in the athletic flanker Daryl Marshall going in for a try.
3 – 8
Ballymoney responded aggressively with their backs running some great lines, however the Dungannon midfield defence was sound and when Dungannon got possession they looked dangerous and their support play was generally excellent. This led to a break from James McMahon, who had been lively all day, and resulted in him scoring a try converted by Christopher Henderson.
3 – 15
The second half started with Ballymoney on the attack and despite some good defending by Gannon the Hosts scored a converted try.
10 – 15.
Dungannon then took the initiative but Ballymoney showed that they could also defend. Dungannon had a series of five metre scrums but Ballymoney eventually turned the ball over and cleared their lines.
The game then settled into a middle of the pitch battle for a period. Dungannon seemed comfortable with the situation but with ten minutes left Ballymoney worked their way up to Dungannon line picking and going. Dungannon’s defence held but a Shannon move resulted in Ballymoney scoring under the posts. The try was converted putting Ballymoney into the lead.
17 – 15.
Captain Simon Potter had a quick word with his troops and the resultant follow up of the restart kick gained good field position and instantly put the home side under pressure. Fair play to Ballymoney they recycled the ball and cleared it into the Dungannon half. Alan Cummings collected the kick and charged up the pitch, when he was tacked Ballymoney regained possession. When the ball went to ground the white booted Christopher Henderson hoofed it through from halfway and won the race for the touchdown. This left the scores level at 15 all. Christopher coolly converted the try to give Gannon the lead.
17 – 22.
Dungannon had one more chance to score when Brian Simpson chipped the ball over the opposing winger’s head, Stuart Gilroy and Darren Simpson chased after the ball but the Ballymoney fullback got to the ball first and cleared his lines.
Dungannon, with Timothy Potter conducting affairs, kept possession for the last couple of minutes and were in control when the final whistle went.
An entertaining game with both sides playing good rugby. Dungannon Coach Mark Henderson was again pleased with his team’s performance and the way some of the young players have developed this season. He praised Ballymoney for their attitude and willingness to attack in what was a tight game.
Team: Darren Simpson. Brian Simpson, Stuart Gilroy, Andrew Caddoo, Alan Cummings. Christopher Henderson, Timothy Potter. Adam Lockhart, Simon Potter (Captain), Hugh Flanigan. Christopher Williamson, David Irwin. Stephen Todd, Daryl Marshall, James McMahon.
Referee: Adrian Reavey (Portadown RFC)
Scorers:-
Tries: Daryl Marshall, James McMahon & Christopher Henderson
Cons: Christopher Henderson (2)
Pen: Christopher Henderson
Drop Goal:
4th XV vs Rainey Ob (8 – 24)
Forster Cup
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Dungannon IVs did not do themselves justice in the Forster Cup final and went down to Rainey IIIs by 24 – 8. The final score line flattered Rainey but in out half Martin Walls they had the man of the match. Walls relieved the pressure with intelligent kicking and got his line moving when the opportunity arose.
Rainey had the first attack through full back O’Neill who was eventually tackled by Adam Booth. Gannon then went on the offensive and when Declan Treanor took a lineout they had a great thirty metre drive. Rainey held but Dungannon moved the point of attack and Jeremy Turkington was tackled just short. Eventually Rainey conceded a penalty. Against the Ravenhill breeze Robin McCleary struck the ball well but the anticipated wind did not drift the ball between the uprights. A couple of minutes later Walls missed a penalty for Rainey.
A Rainey break up field was not cleared and following a lineout their pack drove and diminutive UUC hooker Marty O’Neill went over for a try. Martin Walls converted on twenty-five minutes.
0 – 7
Dungannon attacked from the restart but when Walls hoofed the ball downfield a mistake by Dungannon gave Rainey possession and their talented centre James McBride ran over beside the posts for the try converted by Martin Walls on the half hour.
0 – 14
Five minutes later Walls put Rainey further ahead when Dungannon were penalised for a late tackle.
0 – 17
With the wind at their backs Dungannon started the second half on the attack. When a Rainey player dropped the ball Philip Hall hacked it through. Then that well known rugby personality Rick O’Shea came into play as the ball bounced off and around players before going over the Rainey line. Unfortunately the bounce of the ball beat a couple of Dungannon players trying to touch it down before James McBride grabbed possession and cleared the Rainey lines. Dungannon kept on the pressure and after forty-three minutes Robin McCleary cracked over a penalty to put Dungannon on the score sheet.
3 – 17
Dungannon now had their tails up and when Jeremy Turkington sent Adam Booth through Gareth Graham and Mark Thompson were up in support. Then Declan Treanor took up the charge before Gareth James fed Philip Hall who raced through a gap and away to score midway out on the right after forty-eight minutes.
8 – 17
Things got worse for Rainey when they lost a prop to the bin. Unfortunately Dungannon were not able to take advantage of the extra man principally because of some astute kicking by Martin Walls.
With full time approaching Gannon pressed but Rainey held out and with Dungannon throwing caution to the wind Rainey put together a few phases and eventually Paul Smith crashed over for a try converted by Walls.
8 – 24
Although the score line was flattering this was a deserved win for Rainey but although the Dungannon boys were disappointed they put in a mighty effort.
This was a good competitive game and although it is little consolation Julian Knipe’s boys should be proud of their efforts in their first season back in Junior Rugby.
Team: Robin McCleary. Kevin McElduff (Angus Dines), Philip Hall, Clive Whylie, Adam Booth. Gareth Graham, Gareth James. Wallace McKay (Jeremy Baird), Rodney Lucas (Aaron Falloon), Darran Lucas. Gareth Lucas (Capt), Declan Treanor. Mark Thompson, Jeremy Turkington, Steven Sinnamon. John Armstrong, Steven Graham.
Referee: Robbie Watson
Scorers:-
Tries: Philip Hall
Cons: Robin McCleary
Pen:
Drop Goal:
3rd XV vs Ballynahinch (64 – 10)
Junior League
This was a good performance by the IIIs against a weakened Ballynahinch IVs
Dungannon had a good start and were 33-5 ahead at the break. This score was almost replicated in the second half but the normally immaculate Jonny Patton missed two conversions.
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Flying wing Philip Stinson scored a brace of tries as did Jonny Smith but the king of the walk and man of the match was Mark Riddell. Riddler had a great game and his backing up earned him a season’s best six try haul. Jonny Patton converted seven tries and Hinch scored a try in each half.
Coach David Reid was pleased with the performance and full of praise for Riddell’s efforts. Unfortunately David was also disappointed that a thumb injury had ended Richard Holmes’s rugby activities for this season.
Team: Christopher Blair. Jason Ferry, Geoffrey Blair, Jonathan Smith, Philip Stinson. Jonathan Patton, David Spence. Gareth McMullan, Neil McGinley, David Reid. Richard Holmes, Stephen Donaghy. Gary Martin, Mark Riddell, Christopher Holland (Capt).
Referee: Peter Jackson (Ophir RFC)
Scorers:-
Tries: Philip Stinson (2), Jonathan Smith (2) & Mark Riddell (6)
Cons Jonathan Patton (7)
Pen:
Drop Goal
