Omagh RFC 24 v Randalstown 1st XV 15
On Saturday Randalstown RFC travelled to Mellon Park Omagh expecting a tough encounter with a team who have started the season strongly. The afternoon’s result sees Omagh settle into 2nd position in the league, while the ‘Town men have slipped back to the mid point, albeit with a game in hand on most of those above them. Overall it was an evenly matched encounter which will be encouraging for Randalstown as the league campaign progresses.
Omagh had the better of the opening few minutes. After a scrum on the halfway line their backs moved the ball quickly to the wing and despite the efforts of the Randalstown defence the home side scored the opening try.
Following this early set back Randalstown began to come into the game with good work from Adair, Hume and Knowles. With about thirty minutes on the clock some excellent forward play from the ‘Town pack allowed D Millar to crash over the line to level the score 5-5.
A lapse of concentration just before half time allowed the Omagh winger to score a well taken try against the run of play giving them a half time lead 12-5.
Again the second half opened with Randalstown matching the strong Omagh team in every aspect of the game; the pressure paid off when the home side were penalised for off side and M Smith slotted over the ball to reduce the deficit to 12-8.
However Omagh hit back with a converted try to give them a 19-8 lead and it seemed that with 15 mins left they were going to be comfortable winners.
‘Town were not quite finished though and some excellent handling by the backs followed by a superb break from the half way line by William Montgomery set Smith through for a score to keep them well in contention.
Sadly with the game in the balance a second defensive mistake allowed Omagh to make the game safe with a try after 70 minutes leaving the final score 24-15.
With a number of players due back from injury next week Coach Longwell was not too disheartened with the performance and was looking forward with confidence to the visit of Grosvenor RFC next week.
Randalstown 3rd XV 0 CIYMS 4th XV 38
Following on from two superb league wins Randalstown came back to earth with a bump losing out to a strong CIYMS side loaded with experience and sitting pretty at the top of the league.
The Randalstown lads began strongly and were denied two tries,one from Ben Joyce and then a certain try below the posts from Rab Fleck both adjudged to be held up.
The pack were going great guns at this stage but as the huge CIYMS winger broke down the wing Shaun Mc Crory, to the gasps of the crowd, stopped him in his tracks against all odds. Five minutes later the winger made no mistake however and this was followed by two more breakaway tries as ‘town tried in vain to get a grip on the game.
Dave Harris was continually taking on the CIYMS defence assisted by big Feaghal Mc Connon putting in his customary big hits. But again on the turnover the CIYMS backs showed they were a class act, cutting through the ‘Town defence with ease to leave the half time score 28-0.
After a stirring half time talk the ‘Town lads began the second half brightly with the forwards again controlling the scrums and winning their fair share of lineout ball. Again as in the first half any mistake was pounced on by the experienced CIYMS backs to cut loose.
Randalstown defended resolutely, but were starting to tire. Rab and Willie Fleck,Sean McCrory and Johnston tackled like demons but when this started to take its’ toll CIYMS ran in two further tries to end up 38 point victors.
This was another great performance from the Randalstown lads- the score did’nt do them justice.
Team: A Spiers, R Adair, M Mc Cullough, Sean Mc Veigh, T Mc Closkey ,F McConnon, H Bishop, D Harris, R Fleck, A Johnson, W Fleck, B Joyce, P Morriss, S Moon, G Paine, A Service, M Reeves
Next Saturday the 1st XV entertain Grosvenor at Neillsbrook, while the 2nd XV host Lurgan 2nds. The 3rd XV have a break before Larne visit on 30th November.
