DUNGANNON 9 CITY of ARMAGH 18
For the second time this season Armagh made the short trip to Stevenson Park to play Dungannon with All Ireland League points at stake on this occasion.
Both teams had made good starts to their league campaigns with Armagh holding top position and Dungannon sitting in third place in the league table and a close encounter was expected by the large crowd of supporters that had gathered in anticipation.
The home side kicked off in perfect conditions and were immediately penalised for going off their feet in a ruck. Armagh’s out-half, Harvey Young, sent a kick deep into the Dungannon 22. The early pressure from the visitors paid off with seven minutes on the clock when the home side were penalised for failing to release an Armagh player following a tackle. Young, landed the kick from 30 metres to open the scoring at 0-3. After the re-start Armagh continued to attack and quick passing resulted in Andrew Willis storming down the right wing only to be forced into touch inside the opposition 22.
Soon after, the winger had to leave the field injured, with Johnny Pollock coming on at full-back and Ryan Purvis switching to the wing.
Armagh continued to pressurise the home team and only for a handling error in front of the posts they would have scored the first try of the game following a break by James Morton. On 25 minutes, Dungannon’s captain James McMahon made a strong break from the base of a scrum which ended in play inside the Armagh 22. The visitors were penalised and outhalf, Tianua Poto, levelled the score at 3-3.
Armagh immediately returned to the attack following the re-start and scrum half Harry Doyle was held up over the try line. From the 5 metre scrum
Ali Birch was forced into touch right at the corner flag when a try looked likely.
Dungannon’s defensive lineout mal-functioned and hooker Andrew Smyth received the over-throw to barge over for a try. Young’s conversion made it
3-10 to the visitors.
Armagh continued to be the more enterprising side but they failed to put more points on the scoreboard before the break. Indeed the home side’s kicker narrowed the score to 6-10 after a successful penalty on the stroke of half-time.
The second half kicked off with Harvey Young combining beautifully with Jonny Pollock to bring the play to within 10 metres of the Dungannon line. Again Armagh’s impatience appeared to rob them of what appeared certain points when another handling error sent play back into the Armagh half. A high tackle resulted in another penalty being awarded to Armagh but the kick drifted left of the upright. From the re-start the Dungannon no.7 was yellow-carded for taking out an Armagh forward off the ball. Dungannon, however put a further 3 points on the scoreboard when Armagh were again penalised, narrowing the margin to 9-10 with 25 minutes remaining in the match.
Armagh responded immediately and scored their second try when Ryan Purvis fielded a high ball, broke down the right wing, kicked ahead and won the race to touch down in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful but Armagh were now ahead 9-15.
With five minutes remaining, the final points of the match were scored when a Dungannon forward broke his bind early in a scrum and the penalty kick from Young was on target to complete the scoring at 9-18.
This was a very close fought game and Armagh would have liked to have made better use of their possession which they largely dominated and the coaching staff were disappointed in the high error count with poor handling costing further scores.
The win, leaves Armagh on top of the league after three matches, one point clear of Greystones in second spot.
A tough match lies ahead this Saturday when Barnhall travel to the Palace Grounds following their impressive win at home to Skerries. The home support will be out in force looking for Armagh’s good form to continue.
