Both Randalstown and Monaghan 1st and 2nd XVs observed a minute’s silence prior to the games on Saturday afternoon as the club marked the recent passing of 2 longstanding members, Maurice McFarland and Leslie (Red) Bell. Thanks to the Monaghan teams for their support on this occasion.
It was then on to business for the teams and both came away with solid victories against what was always going to be testing opposition.
Randalstown 1st XV 37 Monaghan 1st XV 7
Randalstown were playing into a fairly strong breeze in the first half and gained an early advantage when Monaghan fumbled the kick off but the visitors were the stronger in the opening scrum and cleared their lines well, making good ground down the left hand side and leaving the watching crowd silent. The home defence held strong though and were rewarded with a penalty a few minutes later which proved to be well within O’Kane’s range, nudging them into a 3 – 0 lead.
Monaghan attacked quickly from the restart and went over for a well taken try to take the lead. Unfortunately a Monaghan player had to retire from the fray injured at that early stage, and it certainly affected their momentum. For a further 20 minutes the match was a tight torrid affair with ‘Town unable to take advantage of having an extra man on the pitch and both teams defending superbly. O’Kane converted a further penalty opportunity to narrow the gap to 6 – 7. Eventually towards the end of the half the visiting scrum creaked a little and Hume was quickly off the back row to charge down and gather the attempted clearance. He then scampered over for a well deserved try and O’Kane was on target with the conversion to nudge ‘Town into a slender lead.
Both McGarry brothers then went close but were stopped by stern Monaghan defence. Adair had made good ground up the middle of the park and the ball was recycled well to Blayne who is often unstoppable in such positions but the visiting defence halted him in his tracks.
Brother Ryan then received the ball out wide after some good work by Laverty and Coulter but he was bundled into touch. Monaghan’s lineout was functioning well and they quickly made their way back into ‘Town terriority. The teams then swapped penalty opportunities with O’Kane converting his chance, whereas the visitors effort saw the touch judges with divided opinions but the referee was well placed and decided that it had sailed slightly wide.
Still there was little to separate the teams until with less than 15 minutes remaining a good crossfield kick was gathered by McWhirter who sped away with Blayne McGarry in support and McGarry on this occasion broke 2 tackles to cross the line. O’Kane converted and the crowd heaved a collective sigh of relief as ‘town increased the lead to 23 – 7.
Another long punt downfield saw Ryan McGarry fight hard for possession and he had Wilson in support to crash over under the posts leaving O’Kane a straightforward conversion this time.
Monaghan worked their way back up into the ‘Town 22 and put intense pressure on the line but couldn’t find a way through some heroic home defending and eventually the ball was turned over allowing O’Kane to clear. McWhirter then made another good break down the left hand side and Ryan McGarry was on hand to bring ‘Town close to the Monaghan line. Scrum advantage from the breakdown saw the ball come wide to Willie Fleck on the opposite wing and he went over in the corner with only a minute or two remaining. O’Kane slotted over the difficult conversion to finish the match 37 – 7 to Randalstown.
Man of the match this afternoon went to Gary Hume for some immense defence and a well taken try, but again the whole team performance was worthy of praise. Both Millars certainly caught the eye around the park as did the McGarry brothers and John O’Kane, all of whom defended superbly and were responsible for some fine attacking play.
This win leaves Randalstown sitting pretty at the top of Qualifying 3 and it is hoped this form will continue into the new year.
Team: C Coulter W Fleck P McWhirter B McGarry R McGarry P Laverty J O’Kane J Adair S Finlay N Foster (Capt) D Millar J Millar G Hume A Fleck D Wilson.
Randalstown 2nd XV 18 Monaghan 2nd XV 9
A scrappy game at Neillsbrook saw Randalstown continue their run of good form with a 19 – 9 win against their Monaghan counterparts.
The home side made a solid start getting on top quickly when Paul Morriss fielded a clearance kick inside his own half. The scouse winger set off on a typically powerful run bursting though at least half a dozen would be tackles before being held up just short of the line. The ‘Town forwards were up quickly in support however to secure possession and Ferghal McConnon was on hand to pick up and barge over under the posts. Turner slotted the conversion. This was to be the highlight of the half as the game degenerated into a series of scrums and penalties dictated by the match official. Monaghan opened their account with about 15 minutes played when they slotted over a penalty.
Further penalties were exchanged, the ‘town opportunity having come after some good work by Moon and McConnon which Turner converted, then just on half time the visitors slotted over their 2nd of the afternoon to leave the score 10 – 6 to Randalstown .
Randalstown started the 2nd half brightly but again were dragged down by refereeing decisions which were not allowing the game to flow. After conceding a number of penalties the home lead was cut to a point when Monaghan landed a kick with about 15 minutes played.
Galvanised into action by this ‘Town finally took control of a game they should have won easily. McConnon was held up just short after a powerful charge for the line, but the ball was quickly moved across the back line where Kenny Pollin was lurking and the prolific prop finished off the move.
With five minutes remaining a long range penalty from Peter McCann sealed the win for ‘Town. This was a frustrating for players and supporters alike which should have been won by a much wider margin, but in the end skipper Hyndman was happy to finish with 2 winning points. The ‘town 2nd rows Nelson and McConnon were immense in both defence and attack throughout the match, but on this occasion they were overshadowed by an all action performance from young flanker Scott Goodrich who took the nod as manager Sloane’s man of the match.
Team: D Jamieson P McCann A Johnston S Moon P Morriss M Turner S Maguire K Pollin B Hamilton J Pedlow F McConnon P Nelson S Hyndman (Capt) S Goodrich R Ings
