Holywood 1st XV 17 Randalstown 1st XV 17
Randalstown 1sts opened their league campaign with an entertaining 17 all draw away to Holywood in a game which both sides had opportunities to win.
Town started brightly and took an early lead with an Adam Boyd penalty after only 2 minutes. Holywood responded with a penalty of their own after 7 minutes, following a good break down the right wing. The home side gradually got on top as Randalstown were missing too many first up tackles at this stage and the pressure finally paid off with 15 minutes on the clock. From a line out the ball was moved into midfield where the holywood prop burst onto the ball and touched down just beside the posts.
Randalstown continued to give Holywood too much space and time to build their attacks and the pacy backline were making good ground whenever they attacked. The defence however did hold tight and ‘Town eventually broke out of their own half when Dan Wilson danced out of a number of tackles after taking a quick penalty. Scrum half Ryan Wilson then put the visitors into a strong attacking position with an intelligent kick and chase. Now camped in the Holywood half ‘Town saw good attacking positions wasted with ill discipline on 2 occasions in quick succession.
With about 6 minutes of the half remaining the pressure eventually paid off. Good line-out ball from Wilson was shipped swiftly to Montgomery who ran strongly, evading 3 tackles, then off-loaded back to Wilson who dived over for a well deserved try. Boyd, who gained in confidence as the game progressed slotted over the conversion to level the scores.
Randalstown continued to press, and with the forwards now working harder, created opportunities for Ryan Wilson and Boyd to bring the back line into play. McGlade went close when he chased up his own kick and then Ryan Wilson and Ryan McGarry were both held up as ‘ town ran a number of penalties just before the interval.
The second half started brightly for Randalstown, skipper Neil Foster leading from the front. A charge from the chunky prop lead to Boyd going close to the line, only for the final pass to Montgomery agonisingly going to ground. Impressive centre Neil Paul then made a break from his own half down the wing, but again the final pass failed to go to hand with the line beckoning.
Disaster then struck when the referee failed to hear the mark called by scrum half Wilson, so he was caught in possession in his own 22. Holywood took full advantage, turned over possession and strolled down the blind side for a 2nd try, which was converted to take them into a 17 – 10 lead. The home side continued to dominate for the next 10 minutes, but failed to press home the advantage, and McGarry was eventually able to hack the ball out of the 22. He then caught the retreating defender on the touch line at the halfway mark and the resultant loose ball was scooped up by the ever present and alert Dan Wilson, who ran in under the posts. Boyd obliged with the conversion to level the scores.
Despite several further opportunites for both sides to add to their tally the game finished locked at 17 all.
In his first competitive game of the season, coach Stevenson had to be content with a point, and was happy with his side’s overall performance. As always it was hard to single out individuals in what was a good team performance, but centre Neil Paul was impressive in attack and defence. The back row of Hume, 2 try hero Wilson and Hurrell were immense throughout.
Team: C Coulter N McGlade N Paul W Montgomery R McGarry A Boyd R Wilson S Adams S Finlay N Foster (Capt) S Hyndman M Millar G Hume D Wilson L Hurrell.
Randalstown 2nd XV 0 Ophir 2nd XV 13
The second string had an unhappy afternoon at Neillsbrook on Saturday. With several enforced personnel changes due to injury and unavailability the back line never really got going, and the lighter town forwards struggled to contain their bulkier Ophir counterparts for the duration of the game.
It was from a scrum with about 10 minutes played that Ophir ran in their first try. ‘Town’s defence remained resolute following this early setback but Ophir were eventually awarded a penalty on the half hour mark which was very kickable, and they duly converted.
Ricky Hood had to retire having injured his knee and the defence was starting to look a bit stretched. Indeed only for a heroic run back by Kenny Pollin the visitors could have gone over in the corner just before half time.
Presumably manager Richardson had some words of wisdom for his team during the interval as the ‘Town performance at the restart was considerably brighter. Unfortunately some basic errors persisted, and coupled with a few errors in judgement no real advantage was gained.
Ryan Ings competed well all afternoon at the front of the lineout, as did Mark Allen in his first game of the season. A tap back from Allen at an Ophir lineout went just beyond scrum half Walker’s grasp, but centre Laverty rescued the move with a timely interception and make good ground to take Randalstown up into Ophir terriority.
A bit of ariel ping pong followed and Leslie’s return punt left the visiting winger no choice but to opt for touch. ‘Town were awarded a scrum on the 22 following an Ophir knock on in the lineout but they again struggled to contain the ophir pack and the ball was kicked straight back downfield. Adie Johnston was able to gather and muster his troops to gain ‘Town a bit of advantage. Number 8 Harris made good ground and then Laverty burst through in the centre but unfortunately his offload to Harris in support again was judged forward and the momentum was lost.
Randalstown’s defence was being stretched to almost breaking point by now as hooker Loughlin suffered a shoulder injury and had to leave the fray, reducing the ‘Town complement to 13. Ophir were able to exploit this and run in a second try just before the final whistle.
Manager Richardson was naturally disappointed but there were some plus points. Walker and Johnston were tireless all afternoon, Ings turned in his usual solid performance, particular in the line outs and debutants McLaughlin and Harris showed promise. No doubt the 2nds will regroup and look forward to the challenge of Letterkenny at Neillsbrook next week.
Team: E Leslie B Winter P Laverty M Mulholland R Hood A Johnston G Walker (capt) M Hamilton R Loughlin Spiers M Allen McLaughlin R Ings K Pollen Harris.
Randalstown 3rd XV 27-0 Ophir 3rd XV
Last season the 3rd XV returned to Neillsbrook for the first time in 6 years and it took until the third game from the end of the season to secure their first win, this year they have done it in the second game of the season. With all 3 teams playing on Saturday, and a number of players unavailable it was all the more pleasing that the 3rd XV were able to take to the field with 17 players 9 of which have come through the youth system in recent years.
Facing a newly formed Ophir 3rd XV the game started with Ophir keeping ‘Town pinned in their own 22 for the first 5 minutes, however the ‘Town defence held strong and they were able to soak up the and start to take control of the game. Out half Fleck alongside scrum half Maguire dictated play very effectively, and ‘Towns forwards and backs combined well to work their way into the Ophir 22. They were looking good for a trybut when Ophir conceded a penalty under the posts they opted for points on the board and Service duly converted to lead 3-0.
Shortly after Ophir spilled the ball around the half way line and the ever alert Maguire pounced and kicked ahead several times. He was just about to dive on the ball to register his first try of the season when he was yanked backed in a desperate last ditch effort by an Ophir defender. The referee adjudged foul play and signalled a penalty try which service converted to stretch the lead to 10-0.
With half time approaching Ophir bashed away at the Randalstown defence but barely made it past their own halfway line getting no change from the now dominant ‘Town forwards and the highly effective centre pairing of Moon and Darling. Ophir again conceded a penalty under the posts and up stepped Service to maintain his 100% record and take the score to 13-0.
In the second half ‘Town were now dominant everywhere on the pitch taking several scrums against the and cleaning up in the lineouts courtesy of young Mulholland so it was only a matter or time before they crossed the lined for another score. This was duly provided by Ash McClenaghan who took the ball from the base of the scrum around the 22 and evaded 3 tackles to power over below the posts, again Service stepped up to convert to go 20-0 ahead.
The final score came after the lively Maguire got stopped inches short but found his forwards quickly in support to drive at the Ophir line and allow young hooker Hamilton to pick up and dive through the ruck to record his first try of senior rugby. Service again converted to cap a fine day for himself of 5 kicks from 5 to leave the final score 27-0.
Manager McCann was delighted with the result and full of praise for the manner in which his young side played the game. They could easily have scored 4 more tries but for some last ditch tackling by Ophir and some balls not going to hand. A number of players showed the potential to push for places up the ranks, which can only be good for the club. McCann encouraged his side to attend training on Tuesdays & Thursdays as it is showing dividends already.
Team :- A Service, W Fleck, S Darling, S Moon, R Duncan, R Fleck, S Maguire, T Devlin,
B Hamilton, J Pedlow, M Reeves, F McConnon, G Rodgers, J Mulholland,
A McClenaghan
Subs :- J Millar, P Morris.
Next Saturday sees the 1st XV in action in the Gordon West Cup with a home tie against near neighbours Antrim. The 2nd XV entertain Letterkenny. This promises to be an entertaining afternoon at headquarters and all support will be warmly welcomed.
