Antrim battled the weather at Civil Service to reach the semi finals of the McCambley cup. With the weather reported to have snow and strong winds on the way Antrim knew the task ahead was going to be tough.
From the kick off Antrim looked set for business turning the ball over and testing the civil service backline with a sweeping move to send Gray Smith breaking down the line but unfortunately to pass back inside didn’t go to hand turning possession back in Service’s favour. From the scrum Service cleared the lines and a lucky bounce saw the ball falling into Services hands and with no one to be scene had a simple run in and took the lead 7-0.
Antrim had to regather and regather they did and within minutes from the restart were awarded a penalty just outside the Service’s 22 and with the trusted boot of Richard Manson Antrim closed the gap to 7-3.
From the restart Antrim used the swirling wind and took full advantage by pinning Service back in their 22. With every clearance attempt by Service, Antrim just kept piling the pressure on by running and kicking the ball deep into the service’s 22, Service tired hard to get out and mauled their way up to their 22 before the Service out half tried to kick for touch only for Neil Manson to charge down the attempt and touch down under the posts, converted Antrim now had the lead 7-10
With Antrim back in front they weren’t going to slow down and opted to keep Service back in their 22 and wait for the opportunity to arise. With a Antrim lineout on the Service 22 Antrim’s pack gathered to set up a solid base for the backline to attack with a set move Dave McKee sliced through the Service backline before bouncing the Service fullback to touch down under the posts, converted Antrim extended the lead to 7-17. With five minutes left of the half Antrim pushed hard to extend their lead as they knew they would be playing into the wind but were unable capitalise on their attacks.
Second half saw a different Service side using the wind to their advantage kicking deep into Antrim’s territory. The Antrim defence stood strong and the only way the service side could advance was to kick. With Antrim winning their lineouts they were able to kick down field to relive the attacking pressure form the service side.
Antrim had to change their game plan and use the forwards to ruck and maul their way up the pitch but on any type of turnover the service side just kicked it back into Antrim’s 22. The Antrim pack had it all to do with the referee blowing up for very infringement making it easier for the Service side to attack the Antrim line but the Antrim side didn’t cave in and cleared their lines on several occasions.
Antrim had fought back hard and slowly forced the service side back into their own half and with that the change of weather to as the snow started to fall blowing a blizzard into Antrim faces. With the sudden drop in tempeture the Service’s hand skills deteriorated and Antrim pounced on a drop ball and saw Andy Cameron pick up and race through from the halfway line to slide over in the corner, unconverted Antrim extended the lead to 7-22.
With the snow and wind causing havoc the game slowed down with both sides fighting the bit out to retain the ball but nether side could convert the possession into points. With Antrim defence unbreakable the Service side looked battered and bruised come the final whistle and the only points came from a lucky bounce and Antrim were disserving winners in the quarter final match of the McCambley Cup.
It was a very positive performance from every player. Final score Antrim 22 Civil Service 2s 7. Although every player gave it his all, Man of the Match was awarded to Dave Sharp
Report & Pictures Submitted by Antrim RFC
