Randalstown chalked up an impressive victory against High School on Saturday afternoon which was hopefully sufficient to see them through to the knock out stages of the Gordon West Cup.
The first score came early in the game after backs and forwards combined well and Daryl McGarry raced over the line. Then with barely 6 minutes played scrum half O’Kane had to retire with a knee injury and a head wound, reducing ‘Town to 14 men for the duration. High School tried to take advantage of the extra man and played their best rugby for the next 20 minutes but they were unable to breach the Randalstown defence. Gary Hume and Alex Fleck put in some huge tackles, both getting quickly back to their feet to take the next man almost before they had a chance to pass the ball.
‘Town then turned defence into attack when Paul Laverty broke from his own 22 to halfway and was well supported by James Millar and the McGarry brothers in the centre to push on into the opposition 22. David Millar then broke through and the ball was back in Laverty’s hands. This time the outhalf wisely used Coulter coming at pace and ‘Town were back in business on the scoreboard. Daryl McGarry took over the kicking duties in the absence of O’Kane and slotted over the conversion.
The roll call for the next score was remarkably similar, with Laverty first of all breaking and holding his feet well despite the attention of the home defenders, then popping the ball to Ryan McGarry this time. Ryan needs no second invitation to run for the line, and he easily outstripped the high school defence for his first try of the afternoon.
David Millar, Foster and Wilson were immense in defence throughout the half and High School could find no way through so Randalstown turned round 19 – 0 to the good and feeling that the game was now theirs for the winning.
After the break Neil Foster made a couple of excellent charges with ball in hand and ‘Town were awarded a scrum from his endeavours. Considering the pack were down to 7 men, having opted to change Alex Fleck onto the wing, while McWhirter deputised for O’Kane at scrum half, the ball was brought back cleanly and Blayne McGarry sprinted through.
About 10 minutes later Blayne was on the score sheet again. This time the move started with a another telling tackle by Fleck allowing Wilson to steal ball. Foster made another charge up the middle to take ‘Town within 10 metres of the line. Ball had to be recycled by the forwards a couple of times before it found it’s way into McGarry’s hands and he charged over the line. Brother Daryl obliged with the conversion.
High School were finding it increasingly difficult to deal with wave after wave of Randalstown attacks. Laverty and Fleck combined well and released Wilson who tore into the opposition 22 and found David Millar in support. Millar crossed the line with the ball and a couple of the despairing home defenders. Daryl McGarry slotted over the conversion.
Wilson was having a fine afternoon popping up all over the park and was unlucky not to score himself a few minutes later. The home side cleared their lines but the rampant Wilson was on hand back in his own half to steal their ball and break again back up to the half way. Ryan McGarry was in support and was again able to sprint in without being troubled too much by the home defence. Daryl, proving an able deputy for kicking duty, stepped up again with the conversion.
The travelling support were enjoying this performance from Randalstown and urging them to keep going. They needed no second telling and when a high school player dropped the ball around half way it was Ryan McGarry again who pounced on it and raced in under the posts streets ahead of the defence, leaving a relatively straightforward conversion for Daryl.
This was an excellent team performance again from Randalstown and as has happened on several occasions this season it was almost an impossible task to pick a man of the match as there were almost 15 contenders. The final nod went to Dan Wilson today who was a real thorn in the side of the opposition all afternoon as he tackled, attacked and stole their ball almost at will throughout the game. The McGarry brothers in the centre had big defensive games while adding to their season’s try tallies, and Daryl had a good day with the boot following the early injury to O’Kane. Alex Fleck showed just what a pacy back row player he is as he looked quite at home on the wing and he had another splendid afternoon in defence. All in all it was an entertaining encounter from a Randalstown perspective and sent everyone off to prepare for the evening’s formal in fine fettle.
Just a few hours later everyone reconvened at Leighinmohr House for the annual club formal. Club President Derek Waddell welcomed everyone and thanked senior Coach Mike Stevenson and the junior section coaches as he acknowledged the level of success Randalstown are currently enjoying. Long may it continue.
Our thanks go to the staff of Leighinmohr for the excellent dinner provided.
Next Saturday the 1st XV are in action at home when they entertain Donegal. The 3rd XV also have a home fixture against Ballynahinch and all support is warmly welcomed.
Team: C Coulter P McWhirter D McGarry B McGarry R McGarry P Laverty J O’Kane N Foster (capt) S Finlay D Millar J Millar M Allen G Hume A Fleck D Wilson.
