Randalstown’s Annual 15-a-side tournament was held on Saturday afternoon. This year the tournament was sponsored by Wilson’s of Rathkenny and their generosity is much appreciated. The burgers for the BBQ were supplied by T H Duffin butchers (Randalstown).
Simon Moon has produced the 2013-14 yearbook and copies are now available. The year book contains information on fixtures, officals and sponsors and the club encourages members and friends to support our sponsors whenever possible.
Tournament winners this year were Larne who defeated Academy 12 – 3 in the final. Larne got off to a sluggish start but gradually found a bit of form and ended up comfortable winners.
Scores from Ryan Garrett and Johnny Hall, one of which was converted by Philip Andrews secured the win and captain James McCluggage was a happy recipient of the new Moore Cup.
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Randalstown performed well on the afternoon and while the coaching team of Gary Longwell and Alistair Strange will be content with the performance. Gary Hume has adapted well to life in the front row, while among the pack Scott Goodrich and Knowles looked impressive around the park. The newly restored McGarry brothers partnership in the backline looked sharp and McWhirter proved an able deputy for O’Kane at scrum half. There will however be some disappointment that having made it easily through the group stage they slipped up against Academy in the semi-final. N
They opened proceedings against Larne in some style with Daryl McGarry streaking through the Larne defence in the opening minute. Turner added the conversion. Larne then having taken a bit of time to find their feet held the hosts at bay until near the end of the second period when veteran Dan Wilson powered over for an unconverted try in the corner.
Next up were Holywood. Despite having the bulk of possession the ‘Town side were unable to open their account until the second period of the game. The try came from a well taken line out on the 10 metre line which came to McWhirter, who had a fine afternoon deputising for the injured John O’Kane. He darted through the Holywood defence before off loading to Dee Millar, who sauntered over to touch down. Holywood however refused to lie down and hit back with a try in the final minute to even the scores at 5-5.
Randalstown’s last group game was against Ballymena. Daryl McGarry again opened the scoring. Having set up the initial ruck on the Ballymena 22 the young centre was on hand to score from the following ruck. It was all ‘Town in the opening period and they scored again when skipper Foster scooped up loose ball on the Ballymena 10 metre line and fed David Goodrich who hit a great line and strolled in for a score. Out half Acheson slotted over the conversion. The second half continued in much the same vein as Michael Smith broke through the visitors defence before off-loading to the ever present Scott Goodrich to finish off the move. Ballymena did hit back in the final minutes but the ‘Town defence held tight.
Safely through as winners of the group hopes were now high of a Randalstown appearance in the final but a drab encounter against Academy saw those hopes dashed. A penalty in each half was enough to secure Academy a place in the final as they ran out 6-0 winners, against Larne who disposed of Carrick in another tight encounter which finished 3-0.
Randalstown Squad: J Adair N Foster (Capt) G Hume R Loughlin S Adams M Hamilton P Knowles J Millar D Millar J Mullholland S Goodrich D Wilson D Smith J Cross P McWhirter C McGlade J Aitcheson M Turner D McGarry B McGarry D Goodrich B Winter M Smith A Johnson D Burnett.
