With the help of generous sponsorship from Blackbourne Integrated M&E Randalstown celebrated their 40th annual 15-a-side tournament on Saturday with a feast of attacking rugby.
With the pitches in pristine condition and the clubhouse showing the fruits of a hard summer’s work, the club were again blessed with a fine afternoon which enticed a number of spectators out.
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The home side kicked off proceedings on pitch 1 and absolutely blitzed Civil Service 37-0. A steady start saw 2 early John O’Kane penalties edge ‘town in front before the star performer of the afternoon, David Goodrich, crashed over on the stroke of half time for a try which O’Kane duly converted.
The 2nd half belonged to home full-back Craig Coulter who bagged himself 3 tries. Two came in quick succession at the start of the half with Coulter on both occasions hitting the line at pace and slicing through the Civil Service defence. Niall McGlade added a fourth ‘Town try after pouncing on a long punt from Adam Boyd, which bounced kindly for the winger and he ran in under the posts to leave O’Kane an easy conversion.
Coulter finished proceedings with his third try after the forwards had set up good ball. Quick hands found Goodrich who powered through the defence and off-loaded to the ever present Coulter who scampered in and O’Kane converted.
In the 2nd group game ‘Town found Ophir more resolute. An early O’Kane penalty was all that separated the teams after the first 10 minutes, with McGlade going closest to crossing the try line. The 2nd half however had barely started when the ‘Town’s creative midfield combined to score the first try. Goodrich again provided the initial power bouncing off a couple of tackles as he took the ball on half way before releasing Daryl McGarry to sprint through and touch down. O’Kane again added the conversion.
The home side finished the game off a couple of minutes from the end with a fine team score. The forwards made good ground picking and driving before good hands from Foster and McGlade released James Millar, lurking out wide. The powerful 2nd row broke the final despairing tackle to dive over in the corner. No conversion this time left ‘Town 15 – 0 winners.
The final group game saw Holywood provide a further step up in resistance to the ‘Town outfit. Again an early O’Kane penalty put them in front and took them in at half time 3-0 up. Despite having the bulk of possession and territory ‘Town only managed a solitary score in the 2nd half. From a solid scrum on the Holywood 10m line O’Kane fed Goodrich, and again the dynamic centre bounced off a would be tackler to crash over. The 8-0 victory was sufficient to see ‘Town top their group, very pleasingly without conceded a single point.
In the semi-final Randalstown took on runners up from Pitch 2 Lurgan. The home nerves were steadied yet again with an early O’Kane penalty, then for the first time in the tournament ‘Town were put under pressure on their own line, but they showed great spirit to hold Lurgan out. Working their way back up the field ‘Town gained good position in the opponents 22. Quick ball was flashed out as far as Daryl McGarry, who made the initial incision into the Lurgan defence before putting Johnston away down the wing. Held up just short Johnston was able to pop to Coulter who was as ever in close support, and the full back was able to cross the line and touch town to take his personal tally to 4. O’Kane added the extras , and on the stroke of half time added another penalty as Lurgan lost a player to the sin bin giving ‘Town a 13-0 advantage at the interval.
The only score in the 2nd half came 5 minutes from the end and it was Randalstown with another try to wrap the game up. After going close on a couple of occasions a ‘Town scrum on the Lurgan 5m line was driven over and Liam Hurrell picked up at the base to touch down. O’Kane added another 2 points to see the home side comfortably through and maintaining their clean sheet, with a 20-0 win.
Carrick had progressed from group 2 despatching Ballymena, Cookstown and Lurgan before beating Holywood 19-0 in the semi final and setting up a final with Randalstown.
O’Kane got his by now customary early penalty to edge ‘Town ahead, but this was soon countered by a strong looking Carrick outfit as they recorded the first points of the afternoon against the hosts. The Carrick team continued to dominate and stretched their lead further before the interval with a penalty.
‘Town’s hopes were further dashed from the restart when the Carrick number 8 broke down the wing and evaded a number of tackles to score in the corner.
Randalstown’s attacking options were nullified by stout Carrick defence and their only opportunity came on 20 minutes when Coulter was bundled into touch within sight of the line.
In the dying seconds Carrick finished off the home side with another charge up the line resulting in a 3rd try to take them 22-3 ahead and deservedly lift the trophy.
Deirdre Close, representing sponsors Blackbourne Integrated, presented Carrick with the Moore Trophy. The referee’s player of the tournament award went to David Goodrich from Randalstown.
This Saturday sees all 3 Randalstown sides in league action. The 1st XV travel to Bangor while the 2nds and 3rds are at home hosting Ballymoney and Grosvenor respectively.
