Randalstown 2nd XV 27 Ophir 2nd XV 0
Randalstown 2nds entertained their near neighbours Ophir at Neillsbrook on Saturday afternoon and ran out convincing 27 nil winners. The game was played in wet greasy conditions which suited the visitors, being a bigger more experienced side, and gave them a chance to hang on against the sharper pacier home side.
‘Town made a great start with a score in the opening 5 minutes. A good carry by full back Coulter was taken on by Scott McClenaghan and when the young 2nd row was held up close to the touch line, prop Kenny Pollin was on hand to race in and score in the corner.
For the next 20 minutes however the visitors got the upper hand, dominating the scrums and using their superior bulk to keep ‘Town hemmed in their own half. The home defence was not found wanting though and they were able to take the steam out of the Ophir attack.
In the last 15 minutes of the first half Randalstown had several chances to increase their lead. Pollen was held up just over the line and winger Paul Morriss went close on a couple of occasions. Eventually with a couple of minutes left on the clock the ever impressive Ryan Ings picked up from the base of the scrum on the five metre line and when he was halted just short of the try line his back row colleague Scott Goodrich was on his shoulder to rip the ball out and crash over under the posts. Turner added the conversion for a 12 – 0 lead at the interval.
‘Town started the second half in much the same manner as the first with an early score. A great take by Goodrich at the line out just outside the Ophir 10 metre line enabled Randalstown to set a maul trundling towards the try line. Ben Hamilton was in control at the back of it and it was the hooker who touched down as the ‘Town pack powered over. Turner was on hand to add the extras despite the discomfort of a swollen undercarriage.
‘Town were in complete control from then on. The scrimmage was coming good, with James Pedlow in particular excelling, even pushing the big Ophir pack off a couple of balls. The lineouts, with Goodrich immense, were giving the home backs a steady stream of possession and they really deserved to have more points on the board through the strong running of David Goodrich, Ben Tsui and Adie Johnston.
The centre partnership of Goodrich and Johnston also contributed a big defensive effort with some powerful tackles.
With only a few minutes left on the clock David Goodrich and Tsui made a good break from halfway but the ball was spilled in front of the posts. A series of scrums followed before the ball finally got to the home backs then Goodrich again made the initial incision before Ings took the ball into contact and offloaded well to the energetic Tsui who rounded his opposite number and ran in behind the posts to leave Turner a relatively easy conversion.
A hard fought 2 points for Randalstown which should have seen more tries for them, but conditions were hampering the pacy backline. It was another impressive team performance with stand out games from a hard working back row unit and 2nd row Ferghal McConnon, whose aggression in attack and defence continues to inspire his team mates.
Team: C Coulter P Morriss A Johnston D Goodrich B Tsui M Turner B Cathcart K Pollen B Hamilton J Pedlow S McClenaghan F McConnon D Harris (capt) S Goodrich R Ings
Randalstown 3rd XV 42 Ophir 3rd XV 17
On the other pitch Randalstown 3rds were hosting their Ophir counterparts in what was an entertaining encounter.
‘Town got off to a great start with a try from winger Fleck which was converted by Service, who had an impressive afternoon with the boot, only to see the advantage nullified by an immediate answer from Ophir.
But 10 minutes later full back Thom tidied up some scrappy ball and was well supported by McLean and Rodgers initially, then McCrory and Winter came into the fray at pace and Winter popped neatly to Fleck who ran in for his second of the day. Service again added the extras.
A further penalty converted by the trusty Service boot kept the scoreboard ticking over in favour of the home side.
‘Town made further ground with a well followed up punt through that the visitors only managed to clear to the 5 yard line. However no advantage came from the lineout which was adjudged to be crooked and Ophir opted for the scrum where they were putting pressure on the ‘Town eight. Despite a strong looking scummage the visitors were unable to effectively clear their lines and ‘Town were rewarded for the pressure with another penalty just before half time which Service duly converted.
Manager McCann brought substitutes Asquith and Harrison on at the break and in a script which was looking somewhat similar to their 2nd XV counterparts ‘Town took an early score when Winter gathered the ball and had McCrory and Thom in support. Thom in turn shipped the ball to Fleck who broke a despairing tackle by his opposite number to coast in for number 3 under the posts, leaving a straightforward conversion for Service.
The restart was gathered by Sloane who gained a bit of ground and found Winter. Winter straightened the line and between him and Fleck brought ‘Town up to the visitors 22 where McClenaghan joined at pace and raced over the line.
Now 34 – 7 ahead ‘Town took the foot of the gas slightly and allowed Ophir back into the game with a penalty opportunity which they duly converted. Buoyed up by the score it was Ophir’s turn to put pressure on the home line and only a timely tackle by Sloane forcing the attacker to hang on to the ball too long saw the advantage turned over.
Eventually ‘Town cleared the ball up the middle of the park and an excellent tackle from Winter gave ‘Town the advantage as the ball was knocked on. Whilst the ‘Town pack were still being put under pressure by Ophir they couldn’t take full advantage due to some good scavenging at the break down and full back Thom was able to pick up and make some hard yards. Fleck was in support on his wing and he was happy to run in for try number 4 in his personal tally.
Again Ophir came straight back up the park and were rewarded with a converted try. Both sides were starting to tire and the match got a bit scrappy but to their credit they continued to fight hard for possession. The final points of the afternoon went the way of the home side when Service converted a further penalty opportunity to leave the final score 42 – 17.
This was a pleasing team performance from the 3rd XV to record their first league points. Winter in the unaccustomed position of centre looked sharp all afternoon and his defence was worthy of comment. Full back Thom in only his 2nd outing after a long layoff with a serious ankle injury, had a solid day at full back and winger Fleck will be delighted with his 4 try tally, all well taken. Man of the match today was Adam Service, who was deadly accurate with the boot all afternoon and made a real nuisance of himself at the set piece, preventing the Ophir pack from gaining advantage from their superiority in that area.
Team: V Thom R Duncan S McCrory B Winter W Fleck A Boyd A Service D Dewar A McClenaghan T Devlin J Scott G Rodgers A Adair A Sloane P McLean.
