BALLYMENA 7 CITY OF ARMAGH 13
Following their mid week defeat by Banbridge in the SONI Premiership, City of Armagh travelled on Saturday to play Ballymena in the first round of the First Trust Senior Cup. Armagh were boosted by the return of Ollie Smith, Neil Faloon and Chris Colvin but knew a stiff challenge lay ahead against their more senior opponents who had put 50 points against City of Derry the previous week.
Conditions were wet at Eton Park with heavy drizzle throughout the match and a greasy pitch meant both sides found ball handling difficult and each suffered with regular knock-ons.
From the kick-off Armagh looked the more strident side, pinning the home team inside their 22 and after a series of forward drives they managed to score the first try after 5 minutes through the hands of Stephen Morton. The try was converted by winger Ryan Purvis giving the visitors an early 0 – 7 lead. On fifteen minutes, the home side were penalised for straying offside just inside their half. Ryan Purvis’s kick narrowly drifted right of the posts. He was successful a few minute later, however, when the home side were again penalised which brought the score up to 0-10.
John Faloon picked up a knee injury during an Armagh attack and the backline was restructured with Timmy McNeice moving into the centre and Harvey Young coming on to make his debut at full-back. Philip Fletcher also came on to replace Daryl Morton in the front row midway through the half.
As half time approached, the Armagh supporters were disappointed the Armagh lead had not been stretched despite numerous chances and in added time it was Ballymena who got on the scoreboard. A penalty was kicked into touch and the well-drilled home pack drove Armagh back 15 metres for Chris Allen to score a converted try. The half time whistle went with Armagh’s lead cut to 7 – 10.
The second half restarted with John Faloon returning to the field and Andrew Morton came into the front row.
Ballymena restarted the match in determined fashion but the Armagh defence was well organized. The home team were then penalized for not releasing the ball and Purvis stepped up to convert the kick and put Armagh ahead 7 – 13.
The home team attempted to break through a stubborn Armagh defence and resorted to try and gain field position to put pressure on the visitors through their driving maul. Armagh turned over the ball several times and the back row of James Morton, Neil Faloon and Ali Birch were exceptional in the wet conditions.
As the match drew to a close, Armagh still held firm and the visiting supporters were anxious that a converted try could still win it for Ballymena.
It was Armagh however who ended the match on top with strong drives in the Ballymena 22 and Miller was forced into touch when a try looked likely.
In the eighth minute of injury time, the referee awarded a penalty to Armagh in front of the posts but the visitors put the ball into touch to claim a superb victory.
The Armagh coaching team were delighted the team had bounced back to defeat their illustrious opponents and the commitment and hunger from the full squad was pleasing.
Armagh’s reward for their cup victory is a home tie in the second round against neighbours Dungannon on October 15th.
The two teams indeed have a rehearsal this Saturday when Armagh travel to Stevenson Park for another fixture in the SONI Premership.
