After a flying start to the season Randalstown firsts hit the buffers on Saturday afternoon turning in a poor performance and suffering their 1st defeat.
Randalstown took to the park in their brand new Power NI sponsored shirts today for a cup match that on paper should have seen them run out easy winners, but it was the visiting Holywood team who returned home victorious by a narrow margin.
The home side started well, scoring in the opening couple of minutes from a lineout on the 10 metre line. Flanker Gary Hume, returning after a two week sabbatical, was on hand to crash over.
Holywood then hit back with a spell of pressure which saw them miss two penalty attempts, before Dan Wilson broke from a retreating scrum and punched a hole in the Holywood defence. David Millar carried on the move and forced the penalty which John O’Kane slotted over and settled some ‘Town nerves.
The home side continued to stay on top and with almost half an hour played a great surge from the pack put Holywood under pressure in the set piece and O’Kane was able to turn the ball over. Wilson again was the man to drive into the heart of the visiting defence and took ‘town inside the 10 metre mark. Recycled ball was whipped out to the backs where Daryl McGarry picked it up off his bootlaces to draw the last defender and put his brother Blayne in for the ‘Town’s 2nd try.
At this stage Randalstown appeared to be coasting and when O’Kane missed a further penalty opportunity just before half time it didn’t seem like cause for worry.
Holywood started the second half well however, getting on top in the scrums and driving hard at the home defence. The pressure eventually reaped reward as they worked their way into the ‘Town 22. Daryl McGarry put in a bit hit on his opposite number, but as both players clashed heads and ended up on the carpet, Holywood went through the gap for a converted try.
Both teams were now reduced to 14 men but the visitors continued to press and less than 10 minutes later they chalked up a further converted try to move into a slender lead. They won the ball on halfway and spun it wide. A clever kick from the winger fell nicely to hand for him and he ran in untouched for the score.
‘Town then lost influential scrum half John O’Kane with a blow to the head and as a result lost cohesion and direction. They never really threatened the Holywood line for the remainder of the game although they will rue the miss of two penalty opportunities and Holywood held on for the single point win which they just deserved.
Coach Stevenson was bitterly disappointed with the result and performance and will be making sure that problems are ironed out at training this week prior to two big league games. The bright spot for Randalstown was the return of Gary Hume who put in a powerful performance.
Team: C Coulter B McGarry D McGarry D Jamieson R McGarry P Laverty J O’Kane D Miller S Finlay K Pollen M Allen J Miller G Hume A Fleck D Wilson
Prior to the game Randalstown hosted a pre-match lunch which was well attended by their various sponsors and several past playing members. The committee would like to thank those in attendance for their support in this venture and hope everyone present had an enjoyable afternoon. Particular thanks must go to the sponsors present, Power NI, Willart PIL, Stevenson & Reid, and Arc Design.
Next Saturday the 1st XV travel to Donegal in the league, the 2nd XV are at home to Armagh and the 3rds will travel to Queens. As usual all support is warmly welcomed
