Pic Credit: Dave Pettard @ DGP Photography
Randalstown 1st XV 3 Omagh 1st XV 25
This game played out at Neillsbrook on Saturday afternoon saw Omagh confirmed as Qualifying 2 champions and indeed they were cheered on by a sizeable travelling support hoping for exactly this outcome.
Randalstown meanwhile slipped to 6th position and this looks like being their finishing spot with one game remaining at home to Holywood next Saturday.
The action started with the visitors enjoying a period of intense pressure on the Randalstown line and after five minutes scoring the opening try of the game. Omagh continued their attacks in an effort to consolidate their lead but good work in the Randalstown defence keep them at bay. The home side began to get into the game and took control of the set pieces pushing Omagh off the ball on a number of occasions. With half time approaching Randalstown’s John O’Kane slotted over a well taken penalty to reduce the lead to two points. However on the stroke of half time the Omagh forwards won good ball at the ruck and set up a try which was converted to leave the half time score 3-12 in favour of the visitors.
Early in the second half Randalstown were unfortunate not to get on the score sheet when Paul Laverty and Dan Wilson combined well only to be held up short of the line. Further good work by Peter Knowles saw Randalstown almost over the line again in the 60th minute. Unfortunately it was becoming one of those afternoons when ‘nearly never killed the man’
As the game moved into the final 15 minutes Omagh scored two well taken penalties and scored a try in the corner. This gave them a 25-3 win despite the excellent second half performance from the home side.
All in Randalstown RFC would like to congratulate Omagh on their promotion to Qualifying 1.
Instonians 3rd XV 36 Randalstown 2nd XV 52
The seconds meanwhile travelled to Instonians hoping to maintain their unbeaten run in Junior 4 and a roller coaster of a game saw them eventually run out winners. 31-19 down at half time they showed great determination to claw themselves back and ease home with an impressive win in the end.
Missing regular backs Matty Turner, Chris McGoldrick and Chris Donnelly a degree of shuffling was required and in spite of this ‘Town started well running the ball at every opportunity. Mr Versatility Conor Murray, deputising at outhalf, put the first points on the board after 3 minutes. Charging down a poor clearance in the home 10 metre area Murray eventually scooped up the ball to touch down after Hurrell and Orr had just failed to pick up. He added the conversion.
Shortly afterwards ‘Town looked to be cruising when Andy White fielded a lazy clearance in his own 22. The full back carried strongly before linking with Orr and Storer, who put Vernon Thom away, and the veteran winger cantered home from just inside the Instonians half.
In a complete reverse during the next 15 minutes however ‘Town found themselves 17-12 down, with the home side adding a penalty to 2 converted tries. Inst were taking advantage of some sloppy Randalstown defending around the fringes, their nippy scrum half a constant threat.
Nathan Storer then made a good break from his own half which gave ‘Town good territorial advantage and after recycling a number of times it was Storer again who was on hand to slice through the home defence and score close to the posts. Murray added the extras.
The remainder of the half saw Instonians once again capitalise on poor defence from ‘Town. A clean break through the middle of the field and a charge down in the ’Town 10 metre area led to two more converted tries for the home side and a resulting comfortable half time cushion.
Following a productive half time discussion Randalstown pulled themselves together and started to play to their strengths, tightening up in defence and using the wind to keep Instonians pinned in their own half. Within a minute they had pulled a score back. Murray scavenged a loose ball on half way and sped away from the home defence touching down at the posts. From the restart Murray kicked long into space and the ball travelled into the home 22. Scott Goodrich was quickly up to tackle the gathering Instonians player, effectively turning the ball over and Hyndman was on hand, deputising at scrum half, to feed Simon Adams. The speedy prop easily rounded the Instonians winger and went over under the posts. Murray knocked over the conversion.
Liam Hurrell who was a constant pest for the opposition at the breakdown, set up ball for Murray who released Ian Hume. The flanker sped away but was hauled down just short. Again skipper Hyndman was close to the action and he was able to pick up and drive over to put ‘Town into the lead. Murray was successful with the conversion.
Another long Murray kick into the opposition 22 was well chased down by his team and again the ball was turned over in their favour. Hume broke from the ruck and even though he was tackled this time he managed a good offload to Winter who stepped inside his man and coasted over the line for another converted try.
The half century was achieved when Hurrell and Winter combined to break from their own half. Hyndman was the linkman and he put Hume away for a well deserved try. Murray added his 6th conversion of the afternoon.
As the final whistle loomed the home side notched up the final points in this high scoring game, touching down in the corner to leave the final score 52-36 in Randalstown’s favour.
A topsy turvy game gave the seconds much food for thought in the run up to their Forster Cup Final. There was plenty of evidence of attacking prowess and ability, but a poor first half defensive performance emphasised the need for concentration and the absolute need to continue training as a squad over the next couple of weeks. Ballymena 5ths will provide very experienced opposition with as big a will to win as the ‘town men since they are also in contention for their own league and cup double, sitting perched as they are in pole position in Junior 5.
Manager Sloane commended Murray’s willingness to deputize at out-half, a new position for him, and while Murray’s style of play may have caused a few heart stopping moments in this position he always looked dangerous, along with Storer and Thom. Hurrell and Hume were his pick of the pack.
The seconds have a break next weekend, with the only league game against Ballyclare still to be rearranged.
