City of Armagh 3xv 52 Queens University 3xv 14
City of Armagh 3rds continued their winning ways when they entertained Queens University at the Palace Grounds. The team had a few enforced changes with versatile back row Ross Finlay moving to hooker and back three player Geoffrey Dougan playing outhalf.
Armagh kicked off with the sun on their backs and from the start, took the game to the young students. On 3 minutes, strong running Robert Straghan went over for his first try of the day. The conversion was missed and from the restart strong forward play from the impressive Armagh pack saw fast ball for the half backs.
Outhalf Dougan made a break and supporting player Trevor Girvan was on hand for the off-load and he managed to get the ball to Christopher Wallace to go in for try number two. With the home team now playing with confidence, the forwards made good territory with strong carries from John Fletcher, Neil Lutton and Brian Bassett. The backs were receiving quality ball to work with and on 25 minutes Luke Crozier rounded the Queen’s defence for try number three. On 35 minutes Straghan went on a storming run and bounced of several tacklers to score his second try of the day to give Armagh a healthy lead at half time.
At the start of the second half, Queens applied considerable pressure on the home team, camping in the Armagh 22. Outstanding defence saw the ball turned over and a great clearance kick relieved the pressure. Luke Crozier then showed great footballing skills and surprisingly a delicate touch by Joe Clarke saw the back row man in for a try. On 55 minutes, replacement Stuart Agnew took a great line from a solid platform to score Armagh’s next try. Shortly after this score, Timothy McBride who had been threatening the Queen’s line all day went over for a try and two minutes later, the outside center went over again.
With Jack Gilpin, Ross Finlay and Stephen Morton working tirelessly at the breakdown area and providing quality ball for the rest of the team, Joe Clarke went over for his second score of the day. In the dying moments of the game, Trevor Girvan received the ball and he slipped over for a try to end the game on a high note and a comprehensive victory for Armagh.
The final score on the day, with an amazing 9 conversions missed, was 52-14. Man of the match was awarded to Geoffrey Dougan for his display at outhalf. The team hope they can continue their winning ways this Saturday with a local derby match against Portadown
City of Armagh RFC 12 Greystones RFC 18
City of Armagh were looking to bounce back after their first defeat in the All Ireland League and Greystones, lying In second position were to prove tough opponents at the Palace Grounds. The biggest crowd of the season turned out in eager anticipation of a home win but the visitors were more clinical on the day and deserved their 12-18 victory.
Greystones kicked off and immediately put the home team under pressure. Indeed for the first 10 minutes Armagh barely touched the ball and the visitor’s enterprise was rewarded with an unconverted try on seven minutes. Poor defence saw the Greystones number 4, unmarked on the wing, and he scored the softest of tries from 10 metres. Greystones then let Armagh off the hook when they missed a penalty in front of the posts from 30 metres. Good interpassing from the visitor’s backline threatened the Armagh defence but a penalty allowed Armagh to clear the danger. Outhalf Fox put in an excellent kick for territory and when Greystones tried to run the ball out of their 22, they were penalised and Fox got Armagh on the scoreboard at 3-5.
The home team got more into the game in the second quarter and Greystones began to make errors but both teams were guilty of turning over possession too easily.
On 27 minutes, Birch and Hanna made good progress with ball in hand and the visitors infringed for Fox to kick the resulting penalty to put Armagh ahead by the narrowest of margins, 6-5.
A good box kick from Harry Doyle saw Greystones penalised and Armagh spread the ball wide but winger Kyle Faloon was bundled into touch. Greystones returned to the attack and the home team gave away a penalty on their 22 for the visitor’s outhalf to edge his team back in front 6-8.
Greystones finished the half strongly and Armagh just held the visitors at bay with a couple of vital turnovers. In time added on, Greystones’ winger attempted a 50 metre penalty but the kick was not accurate much to Armagh’s relief as the half time whistle blew.
The second half commenced with Armagh making a much better start and winger Andrew Willis made a great break which Harvey Young supported to continue the sweeping move and a try looked on the cards but the final pass went to ground a couple of metres from Greystone’s tryline. The visitors killed the ball and the referee gave a yellow card to the Greystone’s outhalf. Armagh elected to go for a scrum and a second penalty was awarded. Scrum number three resulted in a third penalty to Armagh and for the second week running the supporters were wondering why no penalty try? A controversial penalty to Greystones then saw them clear their line and Armagh had missed a huge opportunity.
On 50 minutes Daryl Morton entered the fray following a long term injury and won a penalty on the Greystones 10 metre line. Fox’s long range effort was short but the outhalf was successful with his third penalty on 60 minutes to edge Armagh ahead 9-8.
Greystones attempted a short restart but Chris Colvin was alert and made a great break but a forward pass saw the move breakdown.
Two minutes later following another Armagh turnover in their own half, Greystones moved the ball quickly and their right winger kicked ahead and won the race to touch down for a crucial score out wide. A superb touchline conversion put Greystones ahead 9-18 and Armagh needed two scores to rescue the match.
With 12 minutes remaining, Harvey Young moved to outhalf and Stewart Lester switched to the centre as Armagh scrambled for a score of any kind to rescue a losing bonus point.
TC Campbell, on at scrum half, made a great break into the Greystones half and some last gasp defending led to a second yellow card for the visitors. A penalty was quickly tapped and took play to the 22 where a further infringement in the final minute gave Young the opportunity to kick three points for the home team. A successful kick delivered the losing bonus point as the final whistle went with Greystones holding out for a valuable 12-18 victory.
Armagh remain on top of Division 2B with a single point advantage now over Greystones. The home coaching team were disappointed with the result and the performance as the team had ample possession to win this match but didn’t convert their chances and Armagh’s higher error count was the difference between the teams.
A week’s break will let the squad take stock and prepare for the next match, a tough encounter away to Limerick side Old Crescent who have now climbed to third position in the league.
Armagh 4 XV 12 Omagh 4 XV 36 City of Armagh 4th XV travelled to Omagh on Saturday past for what would be their second game of the new Minor League Premier Division having gained entry after finishing second in their regional division before Christmas. They travel high in confidence following an impressive win over Ballynahinch on their previous outing. Before the game there was a minutes silence to honour one of Armagh’s past players and managers; John McNally who sadly lost his battle with cancer earlier in the week. The lads did not come out of the blocks at all and conceded a try directly from the kick-off. Armagh regrouped under the posts as the try was converted and gave the hosts an early 7-0 lead. It was perhaps the wake-up call that the lads required. Some great work by the forwards in securing possession was being undone by needless kicking off the ball back to Omagh by the Armagh backs. It took until almost the first quarter before this Armagh side got settled and began to play some of the rugby we know they are capable off. Ross Crozier at 9 and David Bingham at 10 were striking up quite the partnership and their vision was sending lads through. A second Omagh try against the run of play was scored through and overlap on the outside and was touched down in the corner as a result of Armagh caught having too many lads committed to the breakdown. Thankfully this was not converted to leave the scores at 12-0 to the hosts with ten minutes of the half remaining. This second try did not deter Armagh and they continued to work their way up the field, a great break by Ross Crozier off a quick penalty tap saw him away only to be tackled and turned over mere metres from the line. Omagh cleared their lines however only as far as full-back Stuart Agnew who sold a lovely dummy and continued to return the ball in hand well into the opposition 22. Armagh perhaps lacked that killer instinct and could just not finish off the chances they were creating. Omagh turned Armagh over again and returned the ball down field, a lucky bounce fell into one of their players arms and with some of the Armagh backs on the back foot they ran in for the third try of the half on the stroke of half time. They converted this one to leave the scores at 19-0 at the interval. With a lot to do in the second half it was always going to be a tough ask from this Armagh side to turn this result around. It was a challenge in which they relished though. In a carbon copy of the first half there was a try scored from the kick-off only this time it was for the men in red and black. A great re-start by centre Rory McCreesh forced a knock on by one of the Omagh forwards. The referee played advantage and thankfully there was an Armagh player there who put boot to ball, hooker Gareth Graham used every last ounce of pace he had and charged down his kick before touching the ball down for Armagh’s first try. The kick was narrowly missed by Rory McCreesh to leave the scores at 17-5. Another Omagh try against the run of play was run in swiftly after the re-start had wiped out the previous try scored by Armagh. This was not converted either and left the scores
at 24-5 to the hosts with ten minutes of the half gone. Armagh lifted it once more and in particular fellow back row players Jack Gilpin and Jonny Kirkland were working diligently together and causing all sorts of trouble for their opponents. A series of good drives downfield saw Armagh inside the 22 again, a few good moves through the backs sent second half replacement Scott Armstrong in for his first score of the day and Armagh’s second. The conversion was scored by Captain David Loughran to reduce the deficit to 24-12. Armagh now playing with a renewed confidence continued to attack the Omagh line however much like their efforts in the first half could not garner a score. A dubious decision by the referee saw influential player David Bingham binned on the stroke of the final quarter. Omagh scored a try off the penalty however failed to convert it. Armagh introduced debutant Eoin McCreesh who made an immediate impact with two impressive tackles when Armagh’s house was down. The lads fought tooth and nail for the next ten minutes and did not concede a single score when they’re were reduced to 14 men something of huge importance and a real measure of the grit and determination shown by this side on the day. A final Omagh Try at the death which was converted brought the curtain down on a tough but entertaining game withe the final score Omagh 36 to Armagh 12. It was never going to be easy for this side with Armagh fielding all four senior sides simultaneously for the first time this season. We are extremely proud of the efforts of all the lads who travelled to Omagh and put on the red and black jersey. The lads fought to the bitter end and were unlucky not to come out of this game with more. The forwards in particular put on a sterling effort and their set plays were exemplary throughout the game. The lads now face another tough game this weekend where they travel to Ballynahinch. Please note this game will be played at the earlier time of 1pm owing to the Ireland game for anyone who wishes to come down and support this team. Team: 1. Patrick Chapman, 2. Gareth Graham, 3. William McKee, 4. Ian Webster, 5. Adam Hume, 6. Dave Black, 7. Jack Gilpin, 8. Johnny Kirland, 9. Ross Crozier, 10. David Bingham, 11. Chris Mackle, 12. Rory McCreesh, 13. John Johnston, 14. David Loughran, 15. Stuart Agnew, 16. Eoin McCreesh, 17. Scott Armstrong
