Kukri League & Conference
A very entertaining game played in good conditions saw a strong Dungannon
side get a good start against a game young Carrick side. Carrick came back
well after the bad start but the more experienced Dungannon backs upper
their game to run out comfortable winners
Dungannon started well when an angled kick by Jaryd Bennett was collected by
Darren Simpson who quickly offloaded for Mark O’Shea to run over for the
try. Michael Lawton converted with a well judged kick in the third minute.
0 – 7
Carrick quickly replied with a mighty penalty from Jonny Sheriff
3 – 7
A good line break by Peter Smith came to naught due to a lack of support.
Then quickly recycled ball was taken on by Paul Jackson who kept on going
breaking a couple of tackles before diving over for his first Dungannon try
after fifteen minutes. Michael Lawton converted with another well judged
kick.
3 – 14
After twenty minutes Jaryd Bennett sparked the next score when he broke into
the Carrick twenty-two with a show and go before taking the tackle and off
loading to Mark O’Shea who went over for his second try.. Michael Lawton
added the extras.
3 – 21
Two minutes later Carrick out half Aaron McKinney took the ball on the burst
outside the Dungannon twenty-two and scored a great try under the posts
although questions must be asked of the Gannon defence. Jonny Sheriff added
the extras.
10 – 21
Sheriff was first short and then hit the post with two fine long range
efforts before a successful forty plus metre strike on forty minutes. This
was followed by another penalty in injury time reducing the deficit to five
points.
16 – 21
A Jonny Sheriff penalty miss at the start of the second half saw
Dungannon’s Chris Swann and Paul Jackson run out of defence up to the
Carrick ten metre line.
On fifty minutes Dungannon benefited from a Bennett touch in the Carrick
twenty-two. A drive initiated by Steven Sinnamon saw Sinnie finish off the
move with a final surge. Michael Lawton converted.
16 – 28
Following a good Michael Lawton penalty another Dungannon counter attack
from Michael and Brian Simpson took play into the Carrick twenty-two.
Dungannon maintained field position and following a Peter Smith drive
Michael Lawton went over between the posts for a self converted try after
fifty-five minutes.
16 – 38
Carrick were unfortunate to lose a player through injury but it did not
diminish their spirit. However the extra man told in the end when Jaryd
Bennett burst through and scored a good try on seventy-five minutes. Lawton
again converted and his immaculate kicking in a tricky cross wind was a
pleasing feature of the evening.
16 – 45
Another Dungannon attack was turned on its head on eighty minutes when Jonny
Sheriff plucked a pass meant for Brian Simpson out of the air and ran sixty
metres for a well deserved try.
21 – 45
A good game to watch with both sides trying to open the game up. Dungannon
had that bit more experience where it counted with Jaryd Bennett able to
control affairs.
Team: Michael Lawton. Brian Simpson, Mark O’Shea, Gareth McGonigle (Capt),
Darren Simpson. Jaryd Bennett, Chris Swann. Neil McGinley, Paul Jackson,
Steven Sinnamon. Rodney Blair, Paul McCarroll. Peter Smith, Alan Cummings,
Robin McCleary.
Referee: John Coyle
Tries: Mark O’Shea (2), Paul Jackson, Steven Sinnamon, Michael Lawton &
Jaryd Bennett.
Conversions: Michael Lawton (6)
Penalties: Michael Lawton
