3 from 3 away from home as the Power NI 2’s share top spot in the league with Portadown 4’s
With only one change from last week the UUC RFC Power NI 2’s were simply superb as Dromore 3’s had no answers for the visitor’s intensity that lasted from start to end in a game that was called up short.
The weather conditions were not perfect for playing, but it was however dry, and in true student ethos this did not dampen the Uni passion nor their skill level, though it was Dromore that struck first as the Power NI 2’s tried to play out of their 22 a misjudged box kick allowed Dromore to charge it down on the 5metre line and score within 2mins of kick off, 5-0 the lads took this early mistake on the chin as this would be the last possession Dromore were allowed to play with for the rest of the game. A series of willing mistakes by Dromore allowed the Power NI 2’s to probe deep into opposition territory with a well driven lineout and quick hands saw Matt Hill go over in the corner. 5-5 conversion missed.
The receiving kick was met with a penalty for taking a man out in the air, and with a fantastic kick down the line by scrum half Jamie Ball saw the students again form a fantastic driving lineout maul which was collapsed with the penalty coming Ball saw the over lap and with quick hands saw Prop Aaron Doherty go over in the corner. 5-12 conversion kicked by Jamie Ball
The receiving kick again saw an early tackle and another penalty was awarded to the Power Ni 2’s and with another great touch finder and 22 metre lineout maul saw Jonny ‘Butters’ Harding score his second try in his second game took UUC too 5-19 conversion kicked by Jamie Ball
A charging run by number 8 Nathan Moore from the back of a dominate uni pack and with quick recycling of the ball to Ryan Milligan who made a tremendous break up the middle of the pitch and with swift hands from David McMenemy saw a 2 on 1 executed, putting Ryan Gilmore over in the corner 5-26 conversion kicked by Jamie Ball.
The final play of the first half saw a quick ball from the back of the scrum, and a thunderous run by David McMenemy and a fantastic off load inside to the ever present Ricky Boyd saw a great score near the posts. 5-33 Conversion Kicked by Jamie Ball.
The second half saw the students playing up the pitch and into a low lying sun, however with such ill discipline from Dromore they were starved of possession and could take little advantage of this. And with the fitness of the students clearly showing the second half became litter with trys from the off, with the pick of the trys coming from tight head Adam Clarke who took a crash ball on the opposition 10metre line and with good pace to strip the Dromore backline to dot the ball down between the posts. There were also trys for Matt Hill (2), David McMenemy and Ryan Milligan saw a game called up short and a final score of 5-58.
It was clear to see that the technical training from Thursday night had paid off and combined with Nathan Moore’s organisation and calmness within the forwards saw a very dominant Power NI 2’s as comfortable victors. The Man of the match award could have went to any of the players as everyone played to their potential but Adam Clarke not only took the game to Dromore but never took a backwards step when needed so he takes the honours of Man of the Match. UUC RFC Power NI 2’s look forward to taking on Monaghan 2’s at home next week.
