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City of Armagh 3rd XV 17 Dungannon 3rd XV 13
City of Armagh Rugby 3rd XV welcomed neighbours Dungannon to the Palace grounds on Saturday for a league match and as the team hadn’t played for five weeks captain Gareth Warnock was worried about the lack of match practice.
The game kicked off in excellent conditions and was somewhat end to end for the first 20 minutes with both teams struggling to maintain any constant rhythm. It was visitors, Dungannon who broke the dead lock with an early try. With the conversion being missed, it was clear this was going to be a hard day at the office for the Armagh team, up against much more experienced opponents who now led 0-5.
The home team responded however and following sustained pressure it was returning player, Robert Magowan who scored in the corner for Armagh.
The remainder of the half was evenly balanced between the teams but it was Dungannon who went into the break leading 13-5 following their second try of the match.
The coaching team made several changes at the interval with Luke Crozier making his return from injury and Timmy McBride slotting into the back row.
Team captain Gareth Warnock and vice-captain Trevor Girvan issued stern instructions to the team and the game restarted with the home team looking for a better performance.
The second half started well for Armagh and the team started to play more collectively. The forwards set up good territory in the Dungannon half and the visitor’s defence was broken by Matty Clarke, playing for the first time at inside centre, when he broke through several tackles for a well taken try.
Trevor Girvan’s successful conversion brought the score to 13-12 and Armagh now had the wind in their sails and with the support of the local spectators, Armagh started to gain momentum and dominated the Dungannon defence. As the game approached the dying minutes it was Armagh who continued to batter the Dungannon defensive line. Eventually the pressure told and Matthew Campbell broke through and scored a try with the last play of the match. The conversion was missed but the final whistle went with the scoreline 17-13 in Armagh’s favour.
This game could have went either way with league leaders, Dungannon, showing why they were unbeaten prior to this fixture. Armagh however, showed great spirit and determination and their improved second half performance determined the result.
The Thirds now have another 3 week break before they travel to play against Queens University. It was also clear that without guys attending training on a regular basis and the breaks between fixtures it will be a hard season for this young side. Man of the match was judged to be Matthew Clarke.
Armagh seconds prevail against Academy
Armagh were hoping to keep their good form after their win at Limavady the previous week in the conference league 2. Academy were the visitors to the Palace Grounds on a sunny afternoon after the morning’s heavy rain and straight away they got into their rhythm putting pressure on the home team’s 22. Armagh were giving away far too many early penalties and as a result struggled to hold onto the ball and conceding territory. Academy created an overlap through good play from their backs and touched down for an unconverted try in the corner. They scored a second try later at the posts to bring the score to 12-0. The Armagh scrum were having to work hard against a big physical Academy eight, however with Con Oliver and Stephen Morton in the engine room and a front row of O’Hagan, Sleator and Matthews they were able to win first phase ball for a talented backline which included Cormac Fox making his debut at 10. On 32 minutes with play on the Academy 10 metre line, Cormac put a Crossfield kick out wide for William Holden to collect and beat his winger to touch down midway out, 12-5 to Academy. Academy then added a penalty to their tally to bring the halftime score to 15-5 to the visitors. On the resumption the home team upped the ante and straight away took play into the Academy 22 with Jonathan Morton, Ross Finlay and Conleth Magillan prominent. After several forward drives Jack Sleator drove over for a good try converted by Fox, 15-12 to Academy. With Matthew Steenson and captain Matty Allan making the hard yards in the backs, an overlap was created for Holden who went over for his second try out wide to give the home team the lead for the first time, 17-15. Shortly after Academy scored a try at the posts after a missed tackle in midfield, 22-17. Armagh scored the try of the game when the backline through TC Campbell, Steenson and Allen ran a ball out from their 22 to put Matty Campbell away on a sixty metre run to the corner for a great team score. Fox knocked over a great conversion to push the home team back in front at 24-22. He added a penalty to the tally on 65 minutes, 27-22. On 72 minutes with more play deep in Academy territory, a long pass from Fox was received out wide by Magillan who ran in at the corner flag, 32-22. Academy scored another converted try on the final whistle to leave the home side victors in a very entertaining game.
