Grosvenor 6 v Randalstown 39
Randalstown 1st XV travelled to Belmont to play Grosvenor in their last away game of what has been a much improved performance in Qualifying 2 this season. Again a number of regulars were missing through injury and further disaster struck before the game began when Dee Millar, a stalwart of the forwards injured his ankle in the warm up. Fortunately Scott McClenaghan who was there merely to spectate, and was carrying an injury, agreed to play in Millar’s place. Despite this and having had little competitive rugby in recent weeks ‘Town produced a spirited performance to keep them on track for a targeted top half finish in Qualifying 2 this season.
The game began with Grosvenor on the attack and but for a number of basic handling errors Randalstown could have found themselves behind. As the game progressed the visitors began to assert themselves and in the 20th minute some good work by the backs allowed Michael Smyth to weave his way through the home defence and score a well taken try converted by John O’Kane. A few minutes later O’Kane slotted over a penalty to increase Randalstown’s lead to 10-0. However Grosvenor were allowed back into the game when the referee penalised the visitors as they strayed offside and Randalstown’s lead was reduced to 10-3. Despite chances on both sides the score remained 10-3 until half time.
The large Randalstown group of supporters expected a tough second half, however the team raised their game and a second try by the young winger Niall McGlade increased the lead to 15-3. Grosvenor then slotted over a penalty to reduce the deficit, and the home side began to assert their presence again. Micheal Smyth then got a second try again converted by the reliable O’Kane to make the score 22-6. At this stage in the game with Randalstown forwards Dan Wilson, Peter Knowles and the fit again Chris Allen leading the charge, saw the floodgates open. First up was David Goodrich after some great work by both forwards and backs. Then it was the turn of the experienced Liam Hurrell who put 2 on the board popping up on the wing to sprint in.
The coaching staff of Gary Longwell and Alistair Strange were pleased with the efforts of all the players and are now looking forward to the last 5 games all at home. Well done to Scott Mc Clenaghan for his performance at short notice. A special thank you to Grosvenor for their hospitality both before and after the game.
Randalstown 2nd XV 27 UUC 2nd XV 11
Once again Randalstown fielded a much changed line up due to injury and unavailability but managed to comfortably overcome UUC 2nds at Neillsbrook on Saturday afternoon despite only performing in small bursts.
An early Peter McCann penalty opened the scoring for the home team and another early miss made it look like ‘Town were going to coast home. However the student visitors had other ideas and gradually took control of the game. Having missed a kick at goal themselves with just over a quarter of an hour played they maintained pressure and with 25 minutes on the clock they managed to crawl over the line from a short penalty for an unconverted try.
This spurred the home side into action for a good spell before half time. They pinned the visitors back into their own 22 and eventually after ignoring a couple of potential overlaps Johnston and David McWhirter combined to send Ryan McGarry scampering in at the corner. McCann added the tricky conversion.
Shortly after this Conor Ferry, who had an immense game in the loose, stole ball from a maul in his own half , made good yards and established a solid platform from which the McWhirter brothers took possession and outpaced the defence before Peter finished off the move under the posts. McCann slotted over the conversion to take the half time score to 17-5 in ‘Town’s favour.
The students started the second half well and in the opening 12 minutes they popped over 2 penalties to narrow the gap to 17-11. ‘Town however hit another purple patch after this. A kick and chase from McCann brought play into the visitor’s 22 for the first time in the half. ‘Town took steady ball from the scrum stand in number 10 Adie Johnston split the defence with a neat step to touch down.
From the restart Ferry & Steenson secured possession then prop Simon Adams surged through from his own half into the UUC 22. The ball was popped to David McWhirter to finish off with the try.
Now down to 14 men as McGlade retired with an ankle injury ‘Town were almost on the score sheet straight away again. The pack secured good ball from the restart and this was taken on by McGarry and Peter McWhirter. The ball found its’ way to flying prop Adams, who was held up just short. Late on ‘Town continued to threaten, this time after good work by McCann and Steenson but Johnston just failed with the touch down.
With so many personnel changes and the absence of influential skipper Hyndman this was a pleasing win for Randalstown, although overall it was a disjointed performance, unsurprisingly since the team have only had a handful of games since November.
Individually there were some strong performances, with Robin Adair putting in a big shift in the number 2 berth and taking a couple against the head. Steenson, Cross and stand in skipper Harris were prominent as a hard working back row unit. The experienced Johnston slotted in at out half with ease, and the McWhirter brothers centre partnership was strong in defence and attack.
Next Saturday sees the first XV take on Lisburn at Neillsbrook while the 2nds and 3rds are on the road to Lurgan and Bangor respectively.
