Randalstown 2s rounded off their season with a fine 20-0 win at home to Newry 2s. The visitors fielded a big physical side and the home side found it hard to break them down despite having the bulk of the possession . Time and again ‘Town ran into a solid defensive wall as they attempted to turn their dominance into points.
The backs were getting steady possession of the ball due to good set piece work by the pack. At scrum time the compact front row of Loughlin, Conceicao and Pedlow were always on top, with the young hooker taking a number of balls against the head in an impressive debut at senior level. Nelson and Ings were operating well in the line-outs, aided by precise throwing from Loughlin. Finally 5 minutes from the end of the first half came the opening score. Fullback Vernon Thom, who was proving ‘Town’s most potent attacking option, hit the line at pace, set off on a mazy run slicing through the visitors defence. However, when he was halted on the 10 m line the ball was turned over and Newry hoofed it clear.
Some astute positional play from Dave Harris saw the flanker as the last line of defence in his own 22 and he caught the clearance and set off like a man on a mission, smashing his way back into Newry territory. This time the ‘town forwards were able to recycle a couple of times before McWhirter released Andrew Sloane on the left wing. Sloane showed a neat turn of pace and hand off to get round his man and cross the line.
Minutes later ‘Town struck again, and again it was Thom running strongly from deep who initiated the score. McWhirter was again the link and a pop to Scott McClenaghan on the half way set the big 2nd row on his way. He barged past a couple of attempted tackles to sprint in under the posts. Turner was on target with the relatively straightforward conversion.
Nelson was halted just short of the line as he took off straight from the kick off on the stroke of half time so the half finished with ‘Town 12 -0 to the good.
The second half continued in much the same vein with ‘Town on top and playing some good open rugby but failing to finish the visitors off.
It was late in the half before the scoreboard was further troubled as Turner slotted over a penalty. Shortly after the veteran centres combined to create the 3rd try for the home side. Simon Moon pounced on a loose ball and hacked through into the visitors 22, where Adie Johnston was up quickly to tackle the Newry defender. Skipper Sammy Hyndman , who produced an energetic performance, was also up quickly and turned the ball over. Spotting a gap on the blind side he spun out of the maul and powered down the touchline to score in the corner. Scott McClenaghan’s attempted conversion was woefully short and wide.
Turner had a nice break in the dying minutes with a chip and catch but was brought back for an infringement in what was more or less the last play of the match. The final whistle went to signal a well deserved win for the home team. Half backs McWhirter and Turner were impressive in attack and defence, while Thom was always dangerous at full back. In the pack Hyndman and Harris just edged the plaudits in a hard working team effort.
