Both Randalstown 1st and 2nd XV faced their Lurgan counterparts on Saturday afternoon and happily both returned solid victories.
The 1st XV travelled to Lurgan for a top of the table clash against an unbeaten and much heralded outfit under a new coach, and strengthened this year by the addition of Armagh AIL number 8, Richie Shilliday.
During the warm up several things became apparent. First, Randalstown were giving away up to 80 kilos in the pack as well as a considerable height advantage and second, that Lurgan had a very talented footballer at outhalf with a reputation as a deadly placekicker. The effect of these natural advantages caused a frisson of nerves to ripple through the ranks of the Randalstown travelling support. In addition to these known unknowns, Randalstown were seriously handicapped by the fact that their normally reliable fullback, David Jamieson, was struck down by an incapacitating illness just before kickoff, and although he heroically refused to retire, he was little more than a passenger for the full eighty minutes.
To complete the difficulties that Randalstown faced, they handled starts and restarts badly, their lineout, normally a well oiled-machine, malfunctioned for the first time this year and they perpetuated a disturbing tendency to give away penalties at the breakdown, so they enjoyed only a fraction of the possession that they would normally expect.
So much for the downside! If the game were decided by appearance or statistics of height and weight, there would be no need for a pitch even a ball. Rugby is also a test of technique, leadership, character, application, fitness, courage and above all the determination not to come second. In all of these, this Randalstown team are inferior to none.
The cornerstone of the Randalstown victory was the immense defensive effort of the back row, supported by the sublime skills and suicidal tackling of John O’Kane at scrum half. The slickness of the Lurgan backs in the warm-up did not survive the first whiff of grapeshot and Alex Fleck, asked at the outset for a big game, replied with his best of this season, hounding the classy Lurgan outhalf virtually into extinction. Lurgan resorted to moves close to the scrum, based on their number 8, one of which actually led to a try, but time after time he ran into, and was driven back by the much lighter Dan Wilson and Gary Hume. When they moved into the slightly wider channel they ran into the rock which is Paul Laverty. For this writer, the defining moment of the match came when Gary Hume smashed the number 8 in full flight and carried him a full fifteen yards to deposit him among the feet of his startled supporters. To the tale of back row heroism, it is essential to add the inspiring physicality and much improved physique of James Millar, the dominant front row and the sheer presence of Mark Allen, who never gave in against the best lineout Randalstown have faced this year. Of the backs, more later, but particular mention must be made of Peter McWhirter who has surely staked his claim to a place in the starting line-up.
Randalstown started nervously, fumbled the kick-off and played for fifteen minutes without the ball, conceding three penalties, one of which Lurgan converted, but they then missed two relatively easy chances. The defence was supreme and when Randalstown eventually did obtain the ball, they looked far superior. A period of sustained pressure eventually led to Blayne McGarry crossing out wide. O’Kane obliged with the difficult conversion, as he did on four subsequent occasions for a 100% record on the day. There was never more than four points in it for the next hour as the teams scored alternate converted tries. A fine back row effort by Dan Wilson and Alex Fleck on the blind side of a scrum led to John O’Kane touching down. Daryl McGarry had a beautiful solo try with an apparently effortless glide through the defence but a back row thrust by Lurgan led to a try and sloppy Randalstown defence gifted two more, so that with ten minutes to go Lurgan still led by the single penalty.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and it was only fitting that the magnificent Alex Fleck should come upon the ball 50 metres out in broken play with fifteen Lurgan men in front of him and touch it down beside the posts to set up a grandstand finish.
In desperation, with the clock ticking down, Lurgan tried to spin the ball but two thunderous tackles by Paul Laverty and Daryl McGarry dislodged it into the hands of Ryan McGarry with half a yard clear and a mere fifty to go. The Randalstown celebrations erupted before he crossed the ten metre line, knowing that half a yard is all Ryan McGarry ever needs.
This Randalstown team has already registered success at their own annual tournament and are currently sitting at the top of the league. It is hoped that the prospect of one of the most successful seasons in many memories is sufficient to spur all players on to commit to training and availability for selection on an ongoing basis now that the foundations have been laid.
Next Saturday the 1st XV travel to Belfast High School in the league. Having been at the mercy of the weather in the last couple of weeks players are encouraged to make every effort to attend training this week and maintain the unbeaten run.
Randalstown 2nd XV 29 Lurgan 2nd XV 8
The 2nd XV also had a bumpy start to their encounter and the visitors worryingly had points on the board very quickly after a difficult bounce wasn’t gathered effectively.
The deficient was soon reduced with a penalty courtesy of outhalf Turner, but this was cancelled out again when the visitors slotted over a penalty opportunity.
Nerves were finally settled slightly with about 15 minutes on the clock Harris broke up the middle and found captain Hyndman, returning after injury, in support. Hyndman had the power to get over the line but the ref was unsighted so they were pulled back for a 5 yard scrum. The ‘Town 8 were enjoying some supremacy in the set piece and the ball was quickly spread wide to full back Coulter who almost made it across the whitewash.
Lurgan couldn’t clear their lines and Randalstown made several inroads through Turner, Fleck and Tsui forcing the visitors to concede another penalty. ‘Town opted for the scrum and again Turner and Coulter combined well, albeit up against stern Lurgan defence. Their persistence paid off however as Lurgan infringed again and the resultant penalty was well within Turner’s range.
Randalstown kept on the offensive and were rewarded with a further penalty opportunity which Turner duly converted to give the home side a slender lead approaching half time. The final play of the half saw Goodrich breach the Lurgan defence, but the celebration was premature as they were pulled back for a foot in touch.
The 2nd half started pretty much as the first had ended with Randalstown having the majority of the possession and eventually the visitors conceded another penalty. Turner was having another fine day with the boot and slotted it over with apparent ease.
Lurgan then made a mess of the restart and Fleck was alert to the chance. He made some yards then put in a smart grubber kick which Harris bounded through to pick up and made no mistake getting over the line. Turner added the extras and stretched the lead to 19-8.
Randalstown’s lineout which had creaked a bit in the first half was now starting to function well and a clean take by Goodrich allowed scrum half Cathcart to ship quickly to Harris who sped through the Lurgan defence to touch down for his second try of the afternoon. Again Turner converted.
Fittingly the final score of the afternoon was another Turner penalty giving him a 100% record with the boot for the afternoon.
Manager Sloane was delighted with the team performance, noting that Lurgan only made it into the ‘Town half once in the second half and didn’t seriously threaten the try line. The pack to a man put in a tremendous shift, backed up by some excellent defence in the centre from Johnston and Winter. The front row of Hamilton, Pedlow and McFarland made life very difficult for their Lurgan counterparts with Hamilton catching the eye in the loose as well. Goodrich and Ings put in solid shifts and it was pleasing to see captain Hyndman back in action leading by example. All this combined to give the backline opportunities to attack throughout the game and Willie Fleck had a fine afternoon on the wing with some intelligent attacking backed up by strong defensive work.
Again the 2nd XV are enjoying a successful season and again players are encouraged to attend training and make every effort to be available for selection to ensure that this success continues.
Team: C Coulter W Fleck B Winter A Johnston B Tsui M Turner B Cathcart M McFarland B Hamilton J Pedlow S Hyndman (Capt) F McConnon M Harris Goodrich R Ings
