Belfast Harlequins 2nd XV 22 Randalstown 1st XV 27
For the 2nd successive Saturday Randalstown 1sts came out on top in the Conference league, this time at the expense of Harlequins 2nds up at Deramore Park. Again personnel were reshuffled due to injury and unavailability and this Saturday 3rd XV Player Niall Johnston was handed his 1st XV debut along with 2nd XV regular Scott Goodrich. Matty Turner remained in the out half berth.
Randalstown were under early pressure but as has become characteristic of this team they stuck to their task and began to come into the game. A 60 yard break by Daryl McGarry allowed debutant Johnston to crash over from close range and open the scoring. The reliable boot of O’Kane ensured all available points went on the scoreboard . Twenty minutes later good work from the Randalstown pack gave Neil Foster the chance to dive over for a second try also converted by O’Kane.
Harlequins then converted an easy 3 points when ‘Town went offside at the ruck. They were further penalised after a silly mistake in defence saw the referee award Harlequins a penalty try closing the gap to 14-10 in favour of Randalstown.
As half time approached Harlequins proved they weren’t done and good work by both forwards and backs allowed the home side to score two excellent tries to take the Belfast side into a 22 -14 lead.
‘Town drew first blood in the second half as John O’Kane kicked a penalty to close the gap to 22-17. Shortly after this O’Kane hammered over another penalty as one of the home backs was caught offside.
With the score at 22-20 the next points would be crucial and it was flanker Alex Fleck who stepped up to the plate beating 4 defenders to run clear and dive over under the posts for a brilliant individual try converted by O’Kane. Harlequins didn’t trouble the scoreboard again having squandered a late penalty opportunity so it was Randalstown who ran out winners.
Good performances from those making their 1st XV debut, coupled with strong performances from 1st XV regulars suggest that when coach Stevenson has the full complement of players fit and available he is going to have some major selection headaches in a good way. The players will be looking forward to the trip to Cavan next Saturday where they should be confident of a result having despatched two senior 2nd XVs in succession.
Team C-Coulter W Fleck D Goodrich D McGarry P McWhirter M Turner J O’Kane J Adair S Finlay N Foster (capt) S Goodrich J Millar N Johnston D Wilson W Fleck
Randalstown 2nd XV 23 Ards 3rd XV 5 (Forster Cup)
Randalstown 2nd XV ran out easy winners against Ards in this Forster cup tie on a fine afternoon at Neillsbrook.
The first points went on the board courtesy of Kenny Pollin within a minute of the kick off. Randalstown took the kick off and won the tussle for the ball which quickly found its’ way to Pollin and the visiting defence opened like the Red Sea allowing him to streak in under the posts. McCann added the conversion.
It was a further 20 minutes or so before the scoreboard was troubled again. While ‘Town were clearly dominant a couple of silly errors meant no further scores, although McCann saw 2 penalty attempts rebound off the left hand upright. A third attempt following a high tackle on captain Hyndman however split the posts and stretched the lead to 10 – 0.
Any attempt at a comeback from Ards was swiftly thwarted by some immense ‘Town defence with Dave Harris seemingly all over the pitch. When the visitors did get their hands on the ball the attempted clearance was fielded by McCann, and such was his slight of hand the onlookers barely realised he had found Johnston on the switch and sent the centre tearing down the wing. A neat little grubber kick over the top from Johnston put Randalstown within 5 yards of the Ards line. Ards couldn’t make the most of the line out advantage and conceded a further penalty. McCann had found his range and slotted over the tricky kick.
With half time approaching ‘Town Laverty, returning after an injury layoff for several weeks, blasted a long punt into the corner and again the home side was able to put serious pressure on the visitors set piece and come up with a free kick and then a further penalty. This time ‘Town opted to go for territory and a lineout in a great attacking position was the reward.
The versatile Pollin, hooker for the afternoon, found Hyndman and the ball came quickly back via Cathcart to Harris who showed a neat side step and raced in under the posts. McCann slotted over the conversion to leave ‘Town comfortably 20-0 up at half time.
The 2nd half was less entertaining and ‘Town’s only real opportunity came from a scorching break by McConnon, supported by Harris and Winter. They were stopped well short but again Ards infringed and ‘Town were rewarded a penalty. The ball was spread across the backs at pace but unfortunately it was knocked on and the chance went begging. Minutes later a further penalty was pushed just wide.
With the clock counting down an error of judgement in the ‘Town defence let Ards in for a fairly soft consolation try which went unconverted.
Manager Sloane was justifiably pleased with this all round team performance. From the kick off it was obvious that the ‘Town outfit really wanted to win and there was a huge effort from 1 to 15 to ensure it happened. Captain Hyndman led by example throughout and young Scott McClenaghan put in a fine performance on his 2nd XV debut with some stern defence and good attacking breaks.
Team: Jamieson McCann Moon Johnston Winter Laverty Cathcart Loughlin Pollin Hamilton McConnon McClenaghan Hyndman(Capt) Harris Ings
Next Saturday the 1st XV travel to Cavan in the league while the 2nds are away to Ballymoney. Training is as usual on Tuesday and Thursday and all players are encouraged to attend and make themselves available for selection.
