Pic above Randalstown RFC P7s on the pitch at half time at Ravenhill with Stuart Olding, Chris Farrell & Paddy McAllister
Randalstown 1st XV 3 Omagh 1st XV 34
No change at the top of Qualifying 2 as Randalstown slumped to a heavy home defeat at the hands of Omagh on Saturday afternoon.
The prevailing conditions were never going to be conducive to the ‘Town’s favoured style of open running rugby and in the end they were outplayed for the majority of the game. Losing 3 players during the course of the match undoubtedly didn’t help the ‘Town cause but in truth they only really looked like scoring during the early exchanges when they got off to a bright start.
Having had the lion’s share of possession in the first fifteen minutes Randalstown’s only reward was a John O’Kane penalty although some great work in midfield by McClenaghan and Goodrich almost released Chris Allen for an early score.
Omagh from the restart put a lot of pressure on the home side and some good mauling put them within a whisper of the line. Again ‘Town’s defence was valiant but when a 5 metre scrum was conceded the heavier Omagh pack were able to push over for a converted try. They were over the line again less than 5 minutes later to move into a solid lead which they added to on the stroke of half time after a sustained assault on the Randalstown line.
The second half was a dour affair and the scoreboard wasn’t troubled any further until almost half an hour in. Omagh broke through with long kick ahead which left Barron stranded as the last man in defence and he was outpaced for the line.
Having enjoyed success with the hack ahead tactic Omagh repeated the procedure. O’Kane managed to scramble back to defend but he had no support so the visitors were able to recycle and score out wide.
With ‘town now reduced to 12 men Omagh were able to finish with a flourish and crossed at the death for a final unconverted try. It was a dismal afternoon for Randalstown 1sts, losing Allen in the opening quarter and then Smith and McWhirter in quick succession in the final quarter. There were a few individual highlights, Scott McClenaghan looked solid all afternoon and Ian Hume, back in his more accustomed back row position, was tireless in defence. Wilson tried hard to breach the Omagh defence and put in his usual hard working shift. Young Emmet Crawford fielded some high balls well and made a couple of useful breaks but ‘Town just weren’t able to get the ball across the backline effectively and utilise the potential pace out there.
Hopefully a week off will enable Smith and McWhirter to return to full fitness but the injury to back rower Allen looked more serious.
Team: J Barron P McWhirter B McGarry D Goodrich E Crawford M Smith J O’Kane J Adair (Capt) J Millar G Hume S McClenaghan P Knowles I Hume D Wilson C Allen.
Randalstown 2nd XV 17 Ballyclare 4th XV 8
The second XV fared rather better on the other pitch at Neilsbrook when despite difficult underfoot conditions they produced some fine rugby in a 17-8 win over Ballyclare.
Ballyclare started the stronger but failed to trouble the scoreboard and it was the home side who opened the account scoring just before the quarter hour.
From a scrum just outside the Ballyclare 22 ‘Town moved the ball blind side. Second phase ball was sped across the line and full back Peter McCann powered over in the corner. He duly added the extras from a difficult position out wide.
Following the restart the home side hit straight back. David McWhirter, who had a fine game on the wing, carried the ball well having fielded a clearance attempt from the visitors. His run took him well into the Ballyclare half where Hamilton and Goodrich were in support to take the ball on well before David Millar put the finishing touches to a fine move crashing over for a second try. McCann added the conversion.
‘Town continued to play some enterprising rugby but the only further reward was a McCann penalty 30 minutes in. Ballyclare managed to get some points on the board with a penalty before half time as the home side once again began to fall foul of the referee.
The second half was a close affair with little to choose between the sides and both defences being the remarkable point for a period. ‘Town had the clearer chances, with Winter twice going close, but the ball just wouldn’t go to hand at the crucial moments.
Ballyclare picked up an intercept try with 65 minutes played in what was to be the final score of the game.
Randalstown showed glimpses of their attacking potential, but the defensive display was most pleasing for manager Sloane.
The front row created a solid platform with a fine scrummaging display during which Loughlin took 3 against the head. Mark Paine in the back row had another outstanding game in the loose until he had to retire with a head injury, but his fellow back rowers Goodrich and Ferry carried the extra burden with ease.
Behind the scrum Scott Snow at scrum half gave a strong display, while McWhirter always looked dangerous with ball in hand.
Team: P McCann D McWhirter B Winter D Smith R McGarry M Turner S Snow S Adams R Loughlin B Hamilton S Hyndman D Millar C Ferry S Goodrich M Paine.
Next Saturday the 2nds travel to Banbridge in the league while the 3rd XV are at home against Bangor 3rds.
