1st XV leave Omagh empty-handed
Grosvenor made the long journey to Omagh hoping to add to their tally of league points but left empty handed after a rather lack lustre second half performance.
They started with purpose and two well-struck penalties by Andrew McConville gave them an early lead. But after fifteen minutes poor defending following a long clearance kick allowed the Omagh No.7 to gallop up the tramlines and around under the posts. 7-6. Grosvenor responded with a well worked try five minutes later. A crisp line-out catch on half-way, followed by neat passing in the backs allowed Simon Fullerton to crash up the middle. A neat off-load from Simon allowed Nicky Koch to dive in under the posts. Simples. Conversion added 13-7. Omagh fought back and worked their way upfield where they pounded the Grosvenor line. Some committed tackling by Grosvenor initially held them out but then a moment of indecision allowed Omagh through for a rather soft try which was converted to leave the score at 14-13 at half-time.
Omagh were now playing with a stiffening breeze at their backs and they made full use of this advantage by hoofing the ball deep in Grosvenor territory at every opportunity, forcing the vistors to attack from deep. Grosvenor initially coped well and they launched some promising counter attacks but when they got into the Omagh 22 they knocked-on or too easily lost posession in contact. On the hour Grosvenor made a hash of running the ball out of defence and were dispossessed on their ten-metre line in midfield. The Omagh backs whipped the ball wide and the left winger sprinted in for a great try. Conversion added 21-13. Grosvenor upped their game and built up some promising attacks but again lacked penetration and precision of passing when they got inside the Omagh 22 and failed to score. Omagh on the other hand played a very simple game plan and executed it with ruthless efficiency scoring another try to secure the victory and a bonus point. Final score 26-13.
Grosvenor will be disappointed with this performance, especially with failing to score in the second half. However at times there were glimpses of what they are capable of as a team, especially when building up the phases and when they concentrated on doing the basics well. But they need to be more patient when attacking and to communicate more when defending.
Man-of-the-match was Nicky Koch who was a real dynamo around the park, showing whole hearted commitment to the end even though he suffered a nasty hand injury early on in the game. We wish you a speedy recovery Nicky.
Jug Watch – Omagh were once again excellent hosts, laying on a marvellous feed and refreshments for the players plus a splendid lunch and post-match cheese board for the alicadoos. 10/10
Impressive 3rds victory over Ards
The 3rd XV played their first home game of the season to Ards 3rds on Saturday in a constant and sometimes torrential downpour of rain. It was great to welcome Charlie and Tank back to the fold and also some new faces.
We began by defending the hockey pitch end and the game kicked off with intrepidation as we looked to keep our 100% record intact. The weather played a major factor and there were lots of early knock ons. After we made our way towards the Ards 22 Neil “Tank” Thompson took the ball into contact and suffered a jarred knee. As he is only recovering from a serious injury and operation on the other knee the game had a lengthy stoppage whilst we ensured he was ok and got off the pitch safely. We all hope he makes a speedy recovery and the injury isn’t as bad as first expected. Ards managed to clear their lines and sent an up n under that wasnt cleared and led to the Ards winger go in in the corner, which was unconverted. The Pythons managed to regroup and after a hack through by Marc Brown the Ards full back had no option but to kick into touch 15m out. unfortunately we could not convert this pressure into points and we went into the break 5-0 down.
The players knew what went wrong in the 1st half and what was needed to put things right. We began the 2nd half at 100mph and concerted pressure led to a line out and a penalty. Charlie saw a gap and decided on a quick tap, he was unfortunate not to get over but we did the necessary and held onto posession, after a few phases of play, Locky spotted Phil Cuz unmarked out wide and fielded a cross field kick which was perfectly caught and touched down by the experienced winger.
Our training drills became apparent as our phase play increased and began to pay dividends as we forced Ards into mistakes inside their own 22 and close to their line. Another quickly tapped penalty and some great hands from our new scrum half Brendan found D.Bo and eventually Charlie going in in the same corner as our first. This was the first time the team realised the game was there for the taking if we played to our strengths and put our training into practise. Marc slotted an easy penalty from the Ards 22 to leave the score 13-5 and with 14 men were very much the dominent side.
Another new recruit Seb, put the Ards winger under pressure from an up n under and after some confusion the ball presented itself and all he had to do was pick it up and run in for a score. 18-5 and the possibility of the floodgates opening was ever increasing. however the game did not finish that way as Ards pulled a score back after some missed tackles to go in virtually unopposed under the posts. We lost Ben Morrison shortly after and had to go uncontested scrums with 5 mins left. Ards looked dangerous and like they could sneak a late score but some great defensive play and a turned over ruck, led to Brendan hoofing the ball into touch to keep the Pythons 100% winning record intact.
Onwards and Upwards to the 15th when we are away to Portadown.
