League victory over Omagh PDF Print E-mail
On a day more suited to cricket Grosvenor commenced its league campaign against Omagh who always present a significant challenge. Much to the confusion of the spectators who had enjoyed the club’s first lunch of the season the kick off was delayed as the referee felt the two kits were too similar however while Roly Coey raced off home to get a replacement he changed his mind and both teams played in the original kits!
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Omagh came out of the blocks well and after 5 minutes scored from a clean outside break following a ruck thirty yards out. Successful conversion; 0-7. Omagh controlled the game for the next period but stout defence disrupted Omagh’s driving game and they were unable to extend their lead. After 12 minutes Gareth Montgomery cross kicked towards the left touch line inside the Omagh 22. Ever alert to a chance Davy Egner had chased up and, as is the way with the rugby ball, got the bounce he deserved. The ball fell into his hands, Davy sidestepped the Omagh full back and scored under the posts. 7-7. For the next 15 minutes Grosvenor dominated the play but like Omagh earlier were unable to turn this into points. During this period Daniel Bowden left the field with a hamstring injury leaving Grosvenor contemplating over 50 minutes with 14 men. Almost immediately after Dbo had gone off the Grosvenor pack was penalised for standing up in a scrum. Omagh converted the penalty; 7-10.
Despite being down to 14 men Grosvenor continued to play good rugby and almost on the half hour the Grosvenor backs spread the ball left from a ruck, Ben Coard made a clear outside break 40 metres out, drew the winger and fed Stephen Kirk who scored his first try for the club in the left corner. A lovely try showing the danger our backs present to any defence. 12-10.
Spirits were lifted in 32 minutes when Dbo returned to the pitch. Although obviously considerably hampered by his injured hamstring he deserves particular mention for playing the rest of the match. Right on half time Omagh scored a try following a break in the centre. Half time 12-17.
Shortly after the restart Jamie Ball slotted over a penalty for Grosvenor to narrow the gap. 15-17. Matthew Cahoon then eclipsed his brilliant run of the previous week by racing down the left touch line and outstripping the defence to score in the left corner. 22-17. The match then went into a period when both teams had possession but neither could force the breakthrough. On 55 minutes Omagh was awarded a free kick for an early push in a scrum. The free kick was awarded 20 metres from the Grosvenor line and near the left touchline. To Grosvenor’s surprise the referee allowed Omagh to immediately take a tap kick and the left winger sprinted into the corner. 22-22.
Grosvenor missed a penalty near Omagh’s left touchline following obstruction in a line out but converted one in front of the posts for offside after 32 minutes. 25-22.
Ben Coard, Peter Dawson and Pearce Jamison all stood out today but Matty Cahoon gets the nod for man of the match for some rampaging back row play about the park and finishing off his try superbly.
3s Start League Campaign With Win
The 3rd XV started their league season in similar fashion to last season with an away trip to Academy 2s. However this year the result went in our favour. Grosvenor started brightly and a period of sustained pressure was rewarded when Colin Millar, playing only his 2nd rugby match, scorched in from the wing to score, conversion added.
Grosvenor continued to apply the tourniquet and Academy barely ventured out of their half in the remainder of the first stanza. Jonny Greer added a penalty to make the half time score 10-0. At this stage things were looking rosy and a comfortable win looked on the cards.
The Academy coach was probably relieved to find his team only 10-0 down at half time and whatever he said to his team worked as they scored the first points of the second half with a converted try. At this stage those who had played in the corresponding fixture last season were beginning to worry about a repeat performance.
However, fears were allayed somewhat when from a penalty 5 metres out Ben Morrison tapped and went, diving over near the posts to take the score to 15-7. Again the thoughts went to closing out the game and again Academy scored to quicken the heart rates of the Grosvenor spectators, 15-14.
Shortly afterwards Andy Rooney scored, followed by Peter Davidson and it appeared with the score at 27-14 that the game was finally over. Again Academy fought valiantly and scored another try, they needed to add the conversion to get within 1 score. Fortunately from a Grosvenor perspective the conversion was missed and the score was 27-19. Grosvenor rounded off the scoring with a try from PK to take the final score to 34-19 in what was a thoroughly entertaining game, played in a good spirit throughout.
Man of the match could have gone to a number of players. Jeff Mealiff was a constant thorn in the Academy side both in defence and attack. Neil Adams controlled things from the base and Gee McCandless was exemplary with the boot, but man of the match goes to Colin Millar. A guy who only took up rugby at the start of pre-season and has played 2 full adult games has now scored 2 tries in those games and never shirks a tackle in defence.
Finally dick of the day was also a close call. Dee McLaughlin gets a mention for getting injured and having to come off, again. But Jack Adams wins the paludits this week for kicking a penalty to the corner and ballsing it up royally.
