Omagh 3s 36- Instonian 3s 0
Omagh 3 s returned to action on Saturday looking to gain revenge over an Instonian side that had come from behind to beat the Accies in the corresponding away fixture. There could be no excuses for the Instonian side as they sent down a strong and sizeable side that was comprehensively torn apart by the Omagh men in a clinical display of running rugby. Omagh were blooding a new wing in the form of Andrew Caterson and welcomed the return of Andrew Armstrong and Michael Gibson all three had excellent games. The opening ten minutes was a cagey affair as both sides tried to work each other out. Instonian’s were trying sheer bulk and power while Omagh stepped up to the plate stopping the Belfast men’s big seven, eight and twelve runners from getting any steam up. A stolen line out by Alan Knox ensured a mauling drive 22 meters out by the Omagh pack and as they sucked in defenders Andy Armstrong and Andrew Caterson linked up well in a loop move to open the scoring, with Armstrong getting the touchdown. The Omagh men never looked back. A penalty at half way was awarded and Neill Mellon used his sizable boot to stick the ball in the corner. A rumbling maul saw Captain Todd break down the blind side feeding David Clarke, who clearly enjoyed returning to the scrum half position, who released the big running Harpur to complete the move and register his first competitive try for two seasons. With their tails up Omagh pressed again, a fumbled lineout was snatched upon by Paul Mellon who was strong enough to set up a driving maul to suck in the defenders, Andy Armstrong then performed a text book switch move with Keith Givens who then proceeded to steam roll three would be tacklers before diving to the right of the posts, Neill Mellon stroked the conversion and Omagh would go in at the break 17-0 up. The half time team talk was simple, Omagh had to keep doing what they were doing, Dean Barr and Andrew Allen, relishing his chance at full back had the beating of their opposite numbers, a fend on the Instonian’s huge flanker saw Andrew Allen surge into the opposition half and a deft kick into the corner saw Neill Mellon get the touchdown to start the second half. Instonian’s now started to make mistakes and Omagh pounced, their lineout faltering and their big pack under pressure in the scrum from the work of Simon Monteith and Shane McLaughlin made sure the stayed in their own half. A pick up and drive from the side of the ruck by the evergreen Keith Givens released Michael Gibson under the posts to register his try with ten minutes to go. Not to be outdone Andrew Armstrong pinned the opposition in their own half with probing kicks and mistake at the sidelines saw the ball tumble into touch of an Instonian hand. The lineout was seized by Harpur and a five meter drive was all that was needed before Monteith acrobatically dived over for the final score of the match to leave it 36-0 to the Omagh outfit. Everything just seemed to click for the Omagh men on Saturday; they gave away the fewest penalties in the match and seemed to have the bounce of the ball at all times. Michael Gibson, Andrew Allen and Andrew Caterson all deserve mention for stepping up to a sizable Belfast side. Keith Givens was full of running, and the pack performed well especially Paul Mellon who has stepped into the six shirt nicely. Omagh 3s last scheduled match is this Saturday at home to Portadown, the Omagh men will look to secure a mid-table finish in Junior Section 3 rugby.
