Lurgan 1st XV 13 Randalstown 1st XV 11 (Gordon West)
Coulda won it, shoulda won it but on balance Randalstown probably didn’t deserve to win on the day and so ended their Gordon West Cup aspirations.
Lurgan opted to kick off in fine conditions and initially put ‘Town under a bit of pressure well inside their own half until Coulter gathered a high ball and wisely called the mark. The subsequent clearing kick was well followed up by Goodrich who put in a stern tackle to ensure that ‘Town kept the advantage and for the first time the home side wobbled slightly.
The weather conditions changed dramatically and there was snow driving across the pitch making handling difficult. Lurgan fumbled ball and conceded a scrum from where the ball was quickly out to Laverty. He was tackled high and ‘Town were awarded a penalty which O’Kane converted.
A further penalty for offside 5 minutes later nudged the visitors into a 6 – 0 lead but it was short lived as Lurgan reduced the deficit with a well taken penalty of their own.
Randalstown started to put together a few decent phases of play but never threatened the Lurgan line and in fact were lucky not to concede further points as the Lurgan centre intercepted and almost ran in courtesy of some lack lustre Randalstown tackling. He was eventually stopped short giving the ‘Town defence time to re-group and the ball was knocked on letting them out of jail in the meantime.
With about half an hour gone Lurgan got their chance to draw level from a penalty for an infringement in the lineout.
The remainder of the half consisted of both sides turning over possession with a series of handling errors and silly penalties and the scoreboard wasn’t further troubled.
Finlay retired from the fray at half time and a bit of a re-shuffle saw Foster moving in to hook and D Millar to prop allowing James Millar to take his place in the 2nd row.
The start of the second half wasn’t any finer a spectacle and the only scoring opportunity came from a Randalstown penalty which was just pushed wide.
Then came the catastrophe. Lurgan took a long punt upfield and Coulter was back to gather and touch down, but unfortunately the ball popped loose and the Lurgan winger was able to pounce on it for a touch down which was converted.
Town were now galvanised into action and giving it their all when Coulter went down with an ankle injury. Mark Allen came into the second row and looked sharp in what is only his second outing after a long injury lay off.
In the final quarter Randalstown had a few opportunites to and eventually Ryan McGarry broke down his wing and make good ground, before shipping to McWhirter, who had come across from the other wing to support, and he sprinted in out wide. The difficult conversion was just missed but ‘Town were back to within 2 points with some time still on the clock.
Try as they might however they couldn’t break through the Lurgan defence despite the best efforts of Alex Fleck, James Millar and Blayne McGarry which on any other day would have been certain scores.
This was desperately disappointing for the ‘town men who have only lost twice previously all season. The focus will now be on the remaining league matches and coach Stevenson will be hoping that the various knocks picked up on Saturday afternoon are not too serious as they strive to maintain the current pole position in Qualifying 3.
Team: Coulter McWhirter Goodrich B McGarry R McGarry Laverty O’Kane Adair Finlay Foster(Capt) D Millar Henry Fleck Hume Wilson.
Subs J Millar M Allen
