Ophir 1st XV 0 Randalstown 1st XV 26 (Gordon West)
Randalstown 1st XV began their Gordon West campaign with an away match at Magowan Park Mallusk against a well organised Ophir side. On a day suited to running rugby Randalstown began the game on the attack and were unlucky not to go ahead on two occasions when the final pass did not go to hand. After twenty minutes of pressure the forwards set up good ball, and a swift back movement allowed Ryan McGarry to score the opening try which was converted by the reliable boot of O’Kane.
Ophir began to get into their stride and were unlucky not to put points on the board, held out by great Randalstown defence and the crossbar. A rampant Randalstown pack led by captain Neil Foster, supported by James Millar, Dee Millar and Mark Allen gave Dan Wilson the opportunity to touch down in the corner and stretch the lead to 12 – 0. The scoreboard wasn’t troubled any further before half time although ‘town did come close on a couple of occasions.
The second half saw a repeat of Randalstown dominance in the pack, both in the set scrum and loose, with veteran Simon Finlay, one of the unsung heroes of the team giving one of his best performances for the club. In the backs the burly Paul Laverty was to the fore and his good work set Dan Wilson up for a second try. O’Kane was able to add the conversion to take the score to 19-0.
After 70 mins Liam Hurrell, in his final match before he goes to continue his studies in England, strolled over for a fourth try which O’Kane again converted.
The performances of all the players deserve praise. Coach Mike Stevenson must be proud of his team’s start to the season as all the hard work done in pre season and at training seems to be paying dividends.
D Jamison/R McGarry/P Lavery/D McGarry/ P McWhirter/D Goodrich/J O’Kane/N Foster (captain)/S Finlay/D Millar/M Allen/D Wilson/J Millar/L Hurrell/R Fleck
Next Saturday the 1st XV entertain Cavan at Neillsbrook where the 3rd XV are also in action against Ballymena.
Randalstown 2nd XV 23 Ballymoney 4th XV 33
Randalstown 2nds entertained Ballymoney 4ths at home on Saturday afternoon. The visitors early outings of the season resulted in resounding defeats of their opposition so ‘Town knew their work would surely be cut out for them. They did however start well and with only a minute or two on the clock converted a penalty to nudge them into an early 3 – 0 lead. ‘Town kept pressure on the visitors and dealt well with the restart to earn another penalty for offside and work their way straight back into the visitor’s territory. Harris made a good break,and although the support was there quickly the Ballymoney defence held firm and Randalstown were a little unlucky not to stretch their lead further in the early encounters.
From a Ballymoney penalty however, which failed to make touch thanks to a sterling effort by Willie Fleck, Rab Fleck cleared downfield and Sammy Hyndman was on hand to ensure ‘Town came away again with the ball. Hyndman scorched through the middle, found Pollen in support, and he in turn had the pace to cross for a well taken try. Turner added the extras and ‘Town found themselves with a 10 point advantage. He was on hand to convert 2 further penalties and take ‘Town into a 16 point lead coming up to the half time mark, the result of continued pressure the young side were exerting on their vastly more experienced opposition.
Just before the end of the half Ballymoney struck back with a converted try courtesy of their bulky outhalf, who the home defence were finding fairly difficult to deal with.
Just after half time Ballymoney seemed to have regrouped and had ‘Town pinned in their own 22 giving the outhalf the opportunity to drop a goal and narrow the advantage. From the restart though the home side worked their way back into Ballymoney territory and Simon Moon, who had another busy afternoon in the middle, broke and kicked long. In the end the long punt ended up in the Ballymoney in goal area but their defender inexplicably threw the ball forward handing the advantage back to Randalstown. They couldn’t capitalise on this and found themselves defending a lineout back in their own half. Ballymoney put up a high ball which Rab Fleck gathered well and wisely called the mark. He was adjudged however to have called it too early and the visitors were awarded a penalty which they converted to further narrow the gap.
Randalstown forced a penalty almost immediately but Turner pushed it just wide on this occasion. Two minutes later he more than made up for that as he blasted through the visitors defence to touch down and convert.
With about 15 minutes left to play and a 10 point cushion it was looking as though the 2nds were about to pull off a shock result and at that stage they certainly deserved to run out winners. That wasn’t a script Ballymoney had read though, and despite a clever interception from prop Pedlow, to the delight of the watching crowd, Ballymoney first scored another converted try followed by 2 penalties to nudge them into a 3 point lead.
‘Town appeared to have run out of gas and an attempted clearance didn’t make touch, instead falling into the arms of the useful looking Ballymoney centre who rounded off the game with a try.
Manager Sloane was obviously disappointed with the defeat and felt this was definitely one that got away after such a promising 70 minutes.
The 2nd XV have a rest next week before travelling to Newry the following week. Players are urged to attend training this week in preparation for that league game.
Team: R Fleck W Fleck A Johnston S Moon B Winter M Turner S Maguire K Pollen B Hamilton J Pedlow S Hyndman (Capt) D Harris G Hume R Ings P McLean
