Donegal 1st XV 24 Randalstown 1st XV 15
Day and night is about the only way to describe the difference in the Randalstown 1st and 2nd half performances in Donegal on Saturday afternoon.
Having started in determined fashion with only some stalwart Donegal defence preventing an early try ‘Town then imploded and for most of the first half which was error strewn and frustrating. A further early chance to trouble the scoreboard came via a penalty which unfortunately went abegging.
Donegal opened their account with an ambitious long penalty, and quickly followed up with a converted try when Randalstown made a mess of the restart.
Some glimpses of what the visitors were capable of came from John O’Kane and Gary Hume as they worked their way back up into the home 22 only for another penalty opportunity to fall just short. Donegal cleared to touch, but the Randalstown lineout was functioning well and the resulting rolling maul made good yards before a series of dropped passes and missed tackles saw the home team break the defence and run in for another converted try.
Encouraged by a sizeable travelling support Randalstown continued to attack but the home defence held strong, and just before half time a long punt downfield into a disorganised ‘Town defence let Donegal in again to the right of the posts, making the conversion relatively straightforward.
The second half was a different story altogether following coach Stevenson’s half time briefing. Dan Wilson gathered in the middle of the pitch and made a scorching break down the left only to be stopped short of the line. Wilson was able however to stay on his feet and hold onto the ball until support arrived in the form of captain Foster who only had to fall over the line. Ryan Wilson obliged with the conversion.
Next it was the turn of John O’Kane to break up the middle and he had Fleck in support. Fleck took a deserved score out wide, fitting for him after putting in an immense amount of work around the park all afternoon. The tricky conversion went just wide.
‘Town then had a penalty disallowed when the touch judges disagreed as to whether or not it had gone over and the ref decided not was the case. They were however in a determined frame of mind and some great work by Gary Hume just inside his own half saw Donegal ball turned over. The move resulted in a penalty to ‘town in front of the posts. This time Wilson made no mistake to further narrow the gap to 24 -15.
There was anticipation now that ‘Town could come back and get a result as Donegal were starting to tire. A long punt downfield gave ‘Town the scrum well inside the Donegal half when their player was adjudged, perhaps a little harshly, to have knocked on. The ‘Town scrum was holding well, with young Hamilton easily containing his much bigger and heavier opposition, but when the ball came out Foster briefly looked to see where he might go instead of at the ball and promptly knocked on handing the advantage back.
O’Kane however was on hand to stop Donegal in their tracks and only the fact that they still had defenders lying deep stopped Winter winning the footrace for the touchdown from O’Kane’s kick through. This was to be ‘town’s last real opportunity and the match ended in a disappointing defeat. This one really was one that got away for Randalstown and undoubtedly there were some sterling performances despite the defeat. Young Ben Hamilton held firm in the scrum and also caught the eye around the park on occasion. Hume Fleck and Dan Wilson put in a ferocious amount of work and O’Kane and Montgomery in the centre were the pick of the backline with some great breaks and tireless tackling. Plenty to work on before entertaining City of Derry seconds at Neilsbrook next Saturday in what will hopefully be an entertaining encounter.
Team: Jamieson Winter O’Kane Montgomery McGlade Boyd R Wilson Hamilton Finlay Foster Hume Millar Wilson Fleck Hurrell.
Randalstown 2nd XV 3 Ballymoney 4th XV 5
Despite a valiant effort a much changed Randalstown 2nds string just fell short against the experienced Ballymoney 4s. A dour forward dominated game ended 5 – 3 in favour of the visitors, with the home side missing a last gasp penalty to take the points.
There was little to choose between the sides throughout the match, with Ballymoney’s strength at the set pieces counteracting the pacier home side. Scoring chances were few and far between initially with ‘Town going close courtesy of Willie Fleck and Sammy Hyndman. It was however Ballymoney who scored the only try of the match during the first half.
A loose ball just short of the ‘Town line was turned over by the visiting pack and with the home defence in disarray they had an easy run in to the corner. Randalstown’s sole response was a successful penalty from scrum half Cathcart.
The second half saw Randalstown dominate play, but again without really troubling the try line. Their best attacking move came from a quick 22 drop out from Adie Johnston which was picked up by Harris. Winger Fleck continued the move cutting infield only to be stopped at the visitors 10m line.
With about 20 minutes remaining Cathcart slotted over a further penalty, but the eagle eyed official spotted a ‘Town player straying in front of him and disallowed the score.
Pressure from the home team in the last quarter yielded 3 further penalty opportunities, but unfortunately they all fell short leaving ‘Town frustratingly close to victory. Manager Richardson was understandably disappointed by what he felt was an excellent chance to defeat near neighbours and long time adversaries Ballymoney, but he picked out Millar, McConnon and Harris for big physical efforts around the park all afternoon.
Team: Hodges Fleck Pollen Mulholland Asquith Johnston Cathcart Spiers Sloane Pedlow McConnon McCann Millar Harris Hyndman.
Next week the 2nds entertain Grosvenor at Neilsbrook and as usual your support will be most welcome.
Randalstown 3rd XV 7 Civil Service 2nd XV 27
Manager Tommy McCann had to dig deep to field a 3rds team this week. Due to so many unavailable players up the club he was forced to bring Dewar, Hyndman, Barron and McMahon out of hibernation for their season debuts.
Despite a brave effort the 3rds went down 27 – 7 to a civil service team they had beaten earlier in the year. The highlight of the match was a try from flanker McMahon, playing his first game since a serious knee injury, which was set up by sprightly scrum half Hyndman. Service obliged with the conversion.
Team: Morriss Young McMaster Darling Duncan Service Hyndman Hamilton Dewar Devlin Barron Reeves Kennedy McMahon McClenaghan Asquith.
The 3rds have a rest this Saturday so they can relax and enjoy the festivities at the annual club dinner. Anyone wishing to attend the dinner should contact Tommy Hyndman without delay as there are only a few places remaining.
