Grosvenor 1st XV 38 Randalstown 1st XV 7
This was always going to be a big ask for the ‘Town 1st XV as their opponents on Saturday afternoon appear to be in a rich vein of form, and are sitting a few positions above them in the league table.
Randalstown will rue concession of the try in the opening minute which contributed to a half time scoreline that wasn’t reflective of play in many respects.
Early on the feature of the game was the constant pinging of the referee’s whistle which didn’t allow either side to put together a tremendous amount of flowing rugby. Unfortunately for ‘Town several of the penalties awarded against were in kickable positions and the Grosvenor out half proved his mettle by converting the chances to put them 13-0 ahead.
Just before half time ‘Town pulled it back to 13-7 when Wilson broke quickly from the restart and raced in under the posts leaving O’Kane a straightforward conversion. However with the penalty count rising by the minute (at this stage it was in the region of 13 for Grosvenor and 3 for Randalstown) Grosvenor converted yet another kickable opportunity, then took advantage of the wind and slotted over a long range effort from inside their own half.
Randalstown played much of the second half with 14 men firstly with a sin binning, the ref having previously warned both teams about slowing ball and infringing on the ground, and then with the withdrawal of Thom due to injury. Up to that point Thom had looked the most threatening in the backline so Grosvenor were able to take advantage and run in 3 tries to secure the important bonus point.
Coach Stevenson will be able to undoubtedly take some positives from the overall performance of his side, but will be faced with more headaches in the backline following injury to Thom.
Armagh 3rd XV 22 Randalstown 2nd XV 13
Randalstown 2nds travelled to league leaders Armagh, and despite a brave performance fell to a 22-13 defeat. The big Armagh pack dictated the early part of the game and this led to 2 early tries, both a direct result of their number 8 breaking from the base of the scrum.
‘Town pulled themselves back into the game with about 20 minutes played after good work by Fowler and Adair won a penalty which Peter McCann converted.
With 5 minutes of the half remaining Armagh showed some clinical finishing to stretch their lead. After absorbing a period of pressure they went straight up inot the visitors’ 22 and again a telling break from the scrum by the number 8 led to a 3rd try which was converted this time for a 17-3 half time lead.
Randalstown started well in the second half lifting the tempo of their game. They began to use the backline to good effect and Ryan McGarry had a couple of good runs which took him close to the home line.
A second McCann penalty narrowed the gap on 45 minutes, but Armagh were quickly back to nullify this with their 4th try of the afternoon, as they stole a ‘Town lineout and rumbled over.
Randalstown dug deep and continued to spin the ball wide at every opportunity with Turner and Laverty making the hard yards, and McWhirter, McCann and McGarry adding great pace and incisive running.
A ‘Town scrum on halfway was again under pressure, but Harris at the base, and scrum half Cathcart combined well to get the ball away to McWhirter. McCann hit a great line from full back to take the pass and McGarry was on his shoulder to continue the move from the 10 metre line. With a step inside he took off and sped over for a deserved try which McCann converted.
This was the final score of the afternoon with almost 20 minutes remaining. ‘Town went close with another fine run from McGarry which was only stopped inches out, and a great break by McCann was only thwarted when the ball squirted out of his hands as he broke through the last defender.
The home side also had opportunities again through the pack, but some great Randalstown defence held them out.
Armagh on balance probably deserved the win, but Randalstown showed great attacking adventure despite taking a battering up front. They were well served by a fine defensive effort from Harris, Fowler and Hume, while McCann and McGarry were always a threat out wide.
Malone 4th XV 13 Randalstown 3rd XV 8
Randalstown 3rd XV gave their best performance of the season so far and were unlucky to lose a close fought game at Cherryvale.
After early Malone pressure the visitors began to take control and for much of the first half the Randalstown forwards were winning good ball for the backs. Had it not been for some basic mistakes they would have taken the lead. Some excellent kicking by out half Johnston gave the visitors good field position but despite all the pressure they could not cross the Malone line. After 30 minutes the Malone centre seized on a loose ball and managed to evade the Randalstown defence to score the first try of the game.
As half time approached Malone were awarded a penalty and their out half slotted over the kick to give the home side a 10-0 lead.
In the second half the Randalstown team continued to pile pressure on the Malone line with Winters and Joyce both going close. Against the run of play Malone scored a second unconverted try when the Randalstown defence were slow to stop the attack.
With time running out Randalstown were awarded a penalty which brought the score to 13-3. Great runs from Curly Hamilton and Shaun McCrory were stopped just short of the line.
In the last minute Adie Johnston ran from the half way and after beating three Malone defenders offloaded to Ben Winters who scored a well deserved try ,leaving the final score 13-8 in favour of Malone . Manager Tommy Devlin was full of praise for his team and was already looking forward to next weeks’ match. Man of the match has to be the Randalstown out half Adie Johnston whose speed and tactical kicking was so important in what was a good team display.
This Saturday the 1st XV take on Enniskillen at home at 2.30 pm. This on paper looks as though it could be another difficult encounter and all support will be warmly welcomed.
The 3rd XV entertain Armoy, also at Neillsbrook, where they will be hoping to continue this weeks’ good form and come away with a win.
