Strabane 1s travelled up to belfast to face Qualifying league3 leaders PSNI missing 8 regulars and produced the result of the season so far to win 23-18
Tries from jimmy hamilton, davy rankin and man of the match, john Mitchell, combined with 2 penalties and a conversion from rankin were enough to secure 2 points and top position in the league.
Davy rankin, in only his second game this season after a shoulder op, ran the show from 10, and after 2 pitch length runs had to get oxygen at the pitchside for 10 minutes before being able to continue.
His return at the business end of the season could not have been better timed and he will be a great asset on the run in.
The front row of jimmy, puffin and hugh put in a huge shift, and the cummings brothers (aaron and timmy) were again central to a strong team performance.
David “smiler” millar, recovered from a tricky hand injury, got about the pitch well and the seconds that stepped up let nobody down.
The players should be rightly proud of this magnificent victory, especially considering the quality of the missing players, who will now be sweating about getting back into the team :-0
Wonderful selection headaches for coach willy gibson to ponder before a 17 man squad travel to monaghan for a gordon west cup quarter final this Saturday.
The 2’s hosted 4th placed Finn Valley and despite the club being shorn of 13 players due to stags, weddings and the Scottish match, turned in one of the best performances of the season to crush the visitors 49-0.
CLICK HERE for the shots
Skipper nigel finlay had to draw his net wide to fill the teamsheet for this fixture, but when the call went out it was answered.
Greg and jason Mitchell at 10 and 12, lee edgar played his first competitive game of the season and coming out of retirement, mr colin finlay.
Finn valley brought a big pack and looked like they meant business, having improved well this season and been on a bit of a run, but when Strabane got motoring, they had no answer.
Greg Mitchell caused all sorts of bother when he got the ball and set up2 tries and got one for himself before departing for a romantic break at halftime.
Not to be outdone, his brother jason also scored a try and kicked 2 conversions and put in a great performance at outhalf, a position he naturally gravitates toward, even when he’s not supposed to.
Matty mcilwaine scored his first try for the club, and enjoyed it so much he went on to claim a hatrick. His direct running was more than the finn valley defence could cope with and he never failed to make ground.
As the visiting pack tired Strabane were able to move the ball freely and sweeping moves from one side of the pitch to the other resulted in 2 tries for lee edgar, one for alistair gore
and stuarty thompson finished the game with a well deserved score in the corner.
Honourable mentions must go to stalwart bert galbraith, who again turned out in the club’s hour of need and had a perfectly good try disallowed- see below
Robbie pattison was moved from the wing to cover fullback and carried back like a man possessed
the whole team did a great job and no more could be asked of them. The honour of leading the team off the pitch was given to colin finlay,
Where we were greeted with the great news from the firsts, and the cheer could be heard down at the cricket club.
