Academy 18 Randalstown 7
This was one of few games to survive the weather on Saturday and despite the conditions the playing surface was remarkably good. The two sides turned in an entertaining game of rugby with Academy the victors. The result leaves ‘Town in 5th place although they have a couple of games in hand on Lisburn and should be confident of moving back up to 4th again.
Playing with the strong wind at their back ‘Town were on top in the opening quarter, camped in the home 22. They were defying conditions displaying some fine handling in the heavy rain. Eventually this paid off as they crossed the line. Jame Millar picked up a pass from O’Kane 10 metres out and stepped inside a couple of defenders to touch down under the posts. O’Kane added the conversion.
Shortly afterwards Michael Smith made a fine break linking with Ben Winter, but the winger was stopped just short.
Academy gradually came back into the game and only some strong defending from ‘Town held them out. Their only reward was a penalty with the last kick of the half.
The second half saw ‘town reduced to 14 as prop Gary Hume had to retire with a neck injury and so scrums were uncontested. There was however little to chose between the sides. Academy used the wind well and looked to their heavier pack to gain the upper hand, but ‘town were always looking to run the ball through the backs, Michael Smith in particular having a fine game at 15.
The Academy pack got their reward with just under an hour played when the pack eventually drove over for an unconverted try. Both sides missed penalties as the game progressed and ‘Town found themselves down to 12 men as Peter Knowles incurred the wrath of the referee and was yellow carded, while Ian Hume retired with a broken finger. Academy converted the penalty resulting from Knowles’ misdemeanour to go into a slender 11-7 lead.
Randalstown had further chances the best probably coming when William Montgomery snaffled the ball in his own 22 and broke through the Academy defence. Unfortunately for ‘Town he hadn’t the legs to get totally clear and when he off-loaded Blayne McGarry just failed to pick up. With possession regained by the home side they rumbled their way back up and with ‘Town running out of tacklers they broke through and scored a converted try.
This was a much improved performance from Randalstown after their defeat by Omagh a couple of weeks ago and they were probably a little bit unfortunate not to get something out of the game. Yet again they were unable to finish out a game with the full complement intact which is always going to have an impact in tight or marginal situations but is impossible to legislate for. Despite the conditions they were always looking to move the ball quickly and the handling was exceptional. The big performances of the afternoon came from Michael Smith and Ian Hume.
This Saturday they are scheduled to be at home against Strabane. The 2nds & 3rds cup games have to be rearranged so their fixtures are a little bit uncertain at the moment.
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