Accies maintained their title challenge with a comfortable 45-3 win over a plucky Carrick outfit at Thomas Mellon Playing Fields on Saturday. The bonus point was secured by the half by which time the home side led by 26-3 and they added another three tries after the break in which they were in total control. Richard Smyth will grab the headlines after a fine performance in which the mobile No.8 recorded a hat trick of tries, though scrum half, Jamie Lagan, will not be far behind bossing the game, taking the correct options and marshalling his troops well. Indeed, the axis of 8,9,10, and 12 with Alistair Beckett and Stuart McCain, creative in attack and impervious in defence, controlled the game from start to finish ahead of their Towns Cup semi-final next week against Clogher Valley.
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With a multitude of players out, Omagh will have been looking for a less physical contest to allow them to shake off a few knocks and allow players the chance of recovering for next week. Omagh began the game playing uphill in good but soft conditions, and were soon ahead
following a well rehearsed lineout move which saw Richard Smyth use his pace to open the scoring after 5 minutes. David Ward was unlucky to see a good conversion effort slide wide. The home side soon exerted their authority, putting the Carrick scrum under some
pressure, taking a couple against the head and messing up any chance of quick ball for the visitors. With injuries taking their toll depriving Omagh of front row stalwarts, Stephen Rutledge and Stephen Giboney, the chance was there for Kyle Alexander and Adam Pollock at prop and hooker respectively. They took the opportunity very effectively – Alexander doing all expected of him in the set piece and working hard in the trenches, while Pollock’s throwing and hooking was very tidy and he was always available for work. Smyth added his second after 15 minutes when he picked up and scythed through from a
scrum just inside the 22 with Ward doing the honours with the conversion. Carrick responded with a very well taken penalty from almost 40 metres as they fought to get back into the match, though the back row, in which Colin Lee made a menace of himself at the breakdown all afternoon, worked hard to contain the Carrick attacks. Alistair Ferguson made his return to the side and almost finished off a sweeping move involving a neat exchange between Lagan and prop Mark Smyth. The tight head took the pop pass, broke a tackle, was stopped but fed the looping Lagan who in turn moved the
ball quickly to Ward on the burst. He linked with Steffan Hamilton with Ferguson taking over and almost adding a well worked try, only to be held up over the line. Omagh were not to be denied as Carrick infringed twice in succession with Smyth looking ominously close to diving over on the back of a dominant scrum only for the referee to blow up and award Phil Marshall’s side the penalty try. Ward added the
conversion. The fourth try sealed the bonus point and was finished off by the impressive Stuart McCain. Support play was the name of the game with the ball recycled, spun one way then the other with Lagan, Mark Smyth, and Richard Smyth all involved while a
straightening run by captain, Mervyn Edgar, added both space and momentum. This allowed McCain to collect the scoring pass and dive over for a well deserved try. Ward added the conversion to leave the score 26-3 at the break. Well in control, the Accies relaxed in the second period though had to be alert to deny Carrick who showed fighting spirit by not giving up and pushing Omagh until the final whistle. An outrageous side step by Edgar early in the half looked to have parted the proverbial seas, only to be blown up for an earlier forward pass. Carrick refused to lie down and maintained their attacking, though the home side were comfortable in defence. Ryan O’ Neill was give a run out in the centre and contributed heavily to the next score. A loose pass in the visitors’ backline allowed him to crush through spoil and retrieve the ball. He set off on the counter-attack and fed the supporting
McCain who had the gas to beat the cover defence and score. The conversion was missed. The game meandered into mediocrity for the next 20 minutes as both teams huffed and puffed before the evergreen Jonny Giboney showed a fine burst of speed to finish off a move started by a bullocking Edgar run on the left hand side of the park. The ball was moved along the backs, McCain drew the last defender and the rangy lock pinned back
the ears to dive over in style. The conversion was missed. Smyth wrapped up the scoring from the resulting kickoff. The ball did not go the required
10 meters and the Dunmullan man broke from the resulting scrum, cut through the defence to outpace the cover and score from 50 metres with Ward adding the conversion from close in. One thing that will have impressed coach, phil marshall was the commitment in defence, even with the game and bonus point safely in the bag. Big first up and cover tackles from Richard Smyth, Giboney, Pollock and Beckett all stood out with the desire not to concede
a try despite the score. This win will put the Accies in confident mood for next weeks game and although they
go in to the Towns Cup semi-final as massive underdogs against Section One leaders, Clogher, they will have nothing to lose and can enjoy the game.
All support at The Cran, Fivemiletown next week will be appreciated. Kick off 2:30pm.
Team: David Ward, Alistair Ferguson, Ryan O’ Neill, Stuart McCain, Andy McFarland, Alistair Beckett, Jamie Lagan, kyle alexander, Adam Pollock, Mark Smyth, Steffan Hamilton, Jonny Giboney, Mervyn Edgar ©, Colin Lee, Richard Smyth
INTOUCH REQUEST – CHECK THIS OUT – THUNDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ireland Ladies Rugby I XV Are playing England this weekend and need as much support as they can get – please watch the clip below and feel free to share it, they are on the verge of a great VICTORY & with Ulster representation!
[youtube w72eOkj_XYI]
