CHECK THIS OUT!
Malone win their opening Ulster Bank league game
by Stephen Barbour
Malone out scored their opponents by 3 tries to 1, in a superb game of open and expansive rugby, despite a serious injury to a visiting player.
Malone hosted Dungannon in their opening fixture of the Ulster Bank League. This was a repeat of last years opening game which was played under lights in appalling weather conditions, Malone running out convincing winners on that occasion.
Malone welcomed back some of the contracted Ulster players, namely Bronson Ross, Connor Joyce, Alan O’Connor and Mike McComish.
This game was however played in bright sunny conditions on an excellent pitch which provided both team ideal conditions to play a fast and running game. Both side observed a minutes silence prior to the commencement of the game.
Dungannon started well and tested the Malone defence early on, the visitors proved their worth at the set piece, scrumming fiercely and were very competitive at the breakdown.
Both sides looked to move the ball in the perfect conditions but for some final passes going astray prevent several scoring opportunities.
Malone suffered at the break down giving away a number of penalties. The first score came on mins when Dungannon moved the ball infield from a line out the ball was passed to the outside centre Cormac McCartney who made a scathing run to set down left of the posts. Out half Nelson added the conversion to give the visitor a 7 point lead
The game progressed and Dungannon kept up the pressure, Malone counter attacked but were unable to breach the Dungannon defence. Some excellent skills showed from a number of Malone players however with the inclusion of players who had not played as a unit on occasions moves failed to blossom, more combined training and game time will improve the cohesion of the team
On 40 minutes during a Malone attack on the Dungannon line Centre mark Faloon was shown yellow and Malone scored the awarded penalty through Mark Gribben to reduce the deficit to 4 points, no furthers scores occurred in the final minutes of the opening half which ended 3-7 in favour of Dungannon.
The second half saw Malone up their game but Dungannon’s Peter Nelson advanced their score to 10 with a well taken penalty. Malone mounted several excellent phases of play moving the ball up the left wing winning a penalty, Taylor Acheson kiked the ball deep into the Dungannon half securing a line out. The line out was collected by Alan O’Connor, flanker Mike McComish made a sublime blindside break, collected an inside pass and ran clear to the line to score an unconverted try. Score now 8-10.
2 minutes later Malone scored again, the ball was moved wide to Jay Malcolm who made a decisive break beating a number of players, despite being tackled he set the ball up, which was moved superbly through the back line to full back Peter Henderson who scored a super try in the corner. The conversion missed from Gribben saw Malone take the lead by 13-10.
Dungannon then enjoyed some possession and during an attack Malone’s Connor Joyce was shown yellow when he appeared to step over to pick up the ball in open play the resultant penalty was missed. Malone looked to have got their 3rd try when Neil Alcorn made a superb break and passed inside to Michael Barker who looked to have crossed the line, however he was adjudged to have put a foot in touch, but also he also failed to get the ball to ground.
Malone’s endeavors were rewarded when they ran the ball from deep inside their own half, centre Mark Gribben accelerated away and floated a beautiful pass inside to Michael Barker who collected the pass at pace to race clear and set down just left of the posts. Peter Henderson added the conversion to advance Malone’s lead to 20-10.
The game suffered a serious injury when the Dungannon Full Back mark O’Shea suffered a bad ankle injury, an ambulance was requested an after a period the player was removed by ambulance form the pitch to loud applause from all present. We wish Mark a speedy and full recovery.
With the game resumed both sides continued to play open and expansive rugby, the game concluded without any further score leaving Malone the winners by 20-10. An excellent result, great to have our contracted players back, congrats to Mike McComish on his first Malone try. My man of the match Captain Neill Alcorn, led by example, great running and superb tackling.
Its Buccaneers away next week, work prevents me from being their good luck to the team.
