Randalstown 2nds progressed to the semi-final of the Forster Cup with a comfortable 44-0 win over Holywood 2nds at a snowy Neillsbrook on Saturday afternoon.
The home side started in determined fashion and were quickly on top, camping themselves in the Holywood half. Scott McClenaghan almost opened the scoring in the opening minutes, surging through the visitors defence, but he was stopped just short of the line.
The first score came shortly afterwards via a Peter McCann penalty after some good work by the centre pairing of Smith and Bailey. Smith went close again a few minutes later before ‘Town scored their first try. Quick ball off a line out on the Holywood 5 meter line was spun out the back. Emmet Crawford coming off his wing hit a fine line outside Turner and went over under the posts. McCann added the conversion.
Randalstown now had the game totally under control playing some really fluent rugby, with both forwards and backs combining well and the pack putting in an immense performance of counter rucking and as a result turning over a number of balls. It was from one such turnover that Scott Goodrich galloped away from a straggling defence, and was able to pop to Crawford in support. He stepped inside the last defender to stroll over under the posts and McCann added the extras.
Goodrich was again prominent in ‘Town’s next score ten minutes later when he took another good line out ball and the pack mauled towards the line before Hyndman peeled off the side and crashed over. McCann kept up his fine kicking performance with a tricky enough touchline conversion.
The second half continued in much the same vein with ‘Town totally dominant and they stretched the lead with about 50 minutes on the clock. The line out again provided the platform as McClenaghan crashed through and offloaded to Bailey. The big centre eased over the line for a converted try. With the score now at 31-0 the home side took their foot off the pedal somewhat and although they didn’t allow Holywood any scoring opportunities their own play became a bit disjointed.
Prop Robin Adair was twice denied just inches from the line and Hyndman was stopped just short so the only addition to the score was 2 further penalties converted by McCann before ‘Town rounded off the game with a final try at the death. From a scrum on the opposition 22 Cathcart whipped the ball to his half-back partner Turner, who hit the line perfectly and powered through a couple of tired tackles to touch down under the posts. McCann converted.
This was a very competent performance by the Randalstown 2nds and hopefully this form will continue in the remaining league games and in the cup semi-final.
Team: P McCann E Crawford D Smith R Bailey N McGlade M Turner B Cathcart R Adair R Loughin B Hamilton S Hyndman S McClenaghan I Hume S Goodrich D Harris.
Next Saturday the 1st XV travel to Enniskillen in the league while the 3rd XV travel to Portadown 5s in the semi-final of the Butler Shield.
