Randalstown 3rds recent good form continued with a well deserved 35 – 7 win at Civil Service in the first round of the McCambley cup. Tommy McCann’s men savoured the victory even more due to the fact that they played the entire game with 14 men following a last minute emergency cry off.
Spurred on by McCann’s inspirational team talk it was the visitors who dictated the game and opened the scoring within the first quarter. Flanker Savage, who is in the form of his short career at the moment, charged down an attempted clearance at a scrum and was quick to claim the loose ball. He then displayed a great leg pumping run to power over the line despite the attentions of a number of service players trying in vain to stop him.
Civil Service came straight back at ‘Town and within minutes they capitalised on a poor clearance to create a series of powerful drives before crashing over for a converted try.
‘Town were getting a good supply of ball at the lineout with rookie jumper McConnon excelling at the front, and it was from the set piece that they created a 2nd try. A Peter McCann break saw ‘Town surge into the Service 22 and when the ball reached Pollin in the centre he had the pace to outstrip the remaining home defenders to race in for an unconverted try.
CLICK HERE for 47 pictures of Civil Service II XV v Randalstown III XV
Scrum half Service eventually found his kicking boots towards the end of the half when he slotted over a penalty after good pressure from the Randalstown forwards, to give them a half time lead of 13-7.
The 2nd half saw ‘Town again display tremendous commitment, spirit and work rate. Civil Service attempted to bring themselves back into the game by keeping the ball tight but their attempts were thwarted by powerful Randalstown tackling round the fringes, with Hamilton Spiers and Reeves outstanding in this department. Devlin & McConnon repeatedly ripped ball from the opposition and in the centre Kennedy and Pollin were providing a solid defensive partnership. The home side eventually lost their discipline and twice found themselves down to 14 men. On the first occasion ‘Town took immediate advantage. Running a penalty inside the Service 10 metres they were held up a couple of times before Savage again showed his developing strength by taking a short pop ball at pace to break through a couple of tackles and cross for his second try.
Service slotted a further penalty as the game became a bit scrappy and disjointed, before Randalstown put the result beyond any further doubt with a great team score when only about 10 minutes remained on the clock. McCann hacked a loose ball on the halfway in behind the home defence. Hamilton was the first man up to turn the ball over before it was whipped through the backs and Ricky Duncan was on hand to add the finishing touch to a flowing move. Service added the extras.
With the game opening up Hodges, Morriss and Devlin all produced mazy runs keeping the game deep in Service territory. In the dying seconds a long punt down the right wing from McCann was well chased by Duncan who put sufficient pressure on the opposition to ensure that the ball came back on the ‘Town side. A couple of powerful forward bursts were dealt with by Service before McConnan launched himself at them and surged over under the posts for a well deserved try which Service converted.
Randalstown thoroughly deserved the win and manager McCann was once again delighted, particularly with the great team spirit that is developing. He picked out Kenny Pollin, relishing his move from the coal-face of the front row into the centre, as his man of the match.
Team: N Hodges R Duncan K Pollin M Kennedy P Morriss P McCann A Service A Spiers G Sloane B Hamilton T Devlin M Reeves M Savage F McConnon
Next Saturday weather permitting, the 3rds are due to entertain Larne 3rds at Neillsbrook while the 1sts travel to Larne. The 2nds have yet another week off.
There will be entertainment in the clubhouse on Saturday night and all players and friends are welcome and encouraged to come along.
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