Randalstown 2nds opened their league campaign under new management and returned a creditable 55 – 18 victory over their Holywood counterparts.
It didn’t take ‘Town long to settle into their stride on Saturday afternoon and they were quickly rewarded with a penalty which went unconverted. This was followed up by the first of 9 tries with barely 10 minutes played. Willie Fleck started the move and good support at the ensuing ruck saw Turner break and then wisely release wide to the waiting Moon and ultimately Fleck who finished what he had started.
Adie Johnston playing at outside centre was next on the scoresheet, this time after a good break by fullback McCrory who offloaded well despite being brought down. Turner found his range this time and added the extras.
Holywood came straight back from the kick off to put pressure on the Randalstown defence and a penalty was conceded by the home side. Fortunately the Holywood kicker’s radar was off and the chance went unconverted.
‘Town then took advantage of a knock on from the drop out and despite being under pressure in the scrum Ings steadied the ship and broke from the back. McWhirter was quickly up in support and had the legs to coast over. Turner again added the extras.
Holywood opened their account on the half hour mark with an unconverted try but within a short space of time it was winger Morriss’s turn to get his name on the score sheet for Randalstown. McCrory, who had a fine game at fullback in his first season back in randalstown colours, broke the line and kicked down the touchline. Holywood gathered but failed to make touch as the ever present McCrory was able to keep the ball in play on the line. Morriss gathered easily and ran straight in through the covering defence.
Holywood took advantage of some fumbling by the home pack and put over a cheeky drop goal to reduce the deficit to 24 – 8. Morriss had the opportunity then to notch up a 2nd try when he gathered a loose kick from Holywood and took off down the pitch only to set the ball down just short of the try line. Randalstown were determined not to allow Holywood out of their 22 and captain Hyndman tidied up loose ball then set McWhirter off towards the line. He had the pace to beat two Holywood defenders and pass to McLean who cantered in under the posts leaving a straightforward conversion for Turner on the stroke of half time.
Turning round up the hill and facing a difficult cross wind in the second half didn’t deter the ‘Town boys. Kenny Pollin took off up the middle of the park almost immediately and was well supported by captain Hyndman who had the sheer determination to speed away for the line from a sizeable distance out, and the presence of mind to touch down close to the posts leaving Turner again a fairly straightforward conversion.
It was a further 20 minutes before ‘Town troubled the scoreboard again, and indeed during that time conceded a further try to the visitors. It was the turn of young scrum half McWhirter to increase his tally to two as he scored again courtesy of some good support work and interplay between Hyndman and fellow second row Hodges. Indeed McWhirter almost combined with Turner within minutes to grab a hat-trick but the pass was deemed forward and the moment was lost.
Holywood were still giving Randalstown a torrid enough time at the scrum and cleared the ball easily but McCrory read it well and was able to gather and set off across the pitch. Johnston was quickly up in support and shipped the ball on to Fleck who wasn’t going to be stopped from 5 yards out and notched up his second score of the day. As the clock ticked down Simon Moon added his tuppence worth to the scoresheet and Randalstown looked to be home and dry 55 – 15 to the good. Holywood decided that the last word would be theirs with another long range drop goal to bring an entertaining game to an end.
New 2nd XV manager Gregor Sloane was justifiably pleased with the overall team performance on this first outing, although he did identify a need for some scrummage work during the next couple of training sessions. Several players were in contention for the man of the match but in the end Sloane plumped for Simon Moon who put in a strong defensive performance, coupled with some strong attacking runs.
Players are reminded that training is on Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm sharp and are encouraged to try and attend the sessions to maximise the potential of the team this season.
Team: S McCrory, W Fleck, A Johnston, S Moon, P Morriss, M Turner, P McWhirter, J Kennedy, K Pollin, S Adams, S Hyndman (Capt) N Hodges, Harris, P McLean, R Ings.
Next week the 2nds travel to CIYMS while the 1st XV entertain PSNI at Neillsbrook in their first league game of the season. The 3rd XV are also back in action at home this Saturday against Malone.
The annual club Formal/Dinner Dance will take place on 12th November this year in Leighinmohr House Hotel. Tickets can now be reserved with Gregor or Anne Sloane.
