City of Armagh 4XV were running out onto the Palace Grounds for their maiden home game of the season 2017-2018 season looking to build on their win over Banbridge the last day out. Today’s opposition, Dromore 3’s had already amassed impressive scores in their previous two outings however had not encounterd an Armagh side in Armagh just yet.

There was a blistering pace to this game considering the level from the very off and it was the visitors who got the scoreboard operating first with a try scored in the corner as a result of a missed tackle. The Armagh lads recovered well in defence and managed to quell a few attacks before Dromore snuck in, in the corner. The resultant conversion was thankfully missed and the scores were 5-0 to Dromore.

From the re-start Armagh set off and attacked the Dromore lads, Dromore’s discipline was costing them early as a series of Armagh tap and go’s inside the 22m line continued to garner gains towards the Dromore line with Robert Nicholl and Jonny Kirkland in particular proving to be damn hard to bring down. Indeed Dromore conceded six penalties on the trot and had a player dismissed to the sin-bin as a result. But for all Armagh’s hard work they could not cross the line and were unfortunately turned over. The Dromore lads worked their way down the field, won a penalty in front of the posts some 30m out only for the effort to drop short.

Armagh knew they had been let off and were they to get down that end of the field they would have to be more clinical. As it turns out they didn’t have to wait too long. A penalty was awarded to Armagh and scored by Glenn Faloon to leave the scores at 05-03 to Dromore with some 28 minutes of the match played.

The hosts went right back at Dromore and the backs were starting to build a little. A good passage of play from the back line saw Armagh in acres of space only for a knock on by the winger. It was not to prove crucial as the lads soon won the ball back and a good break by returning centre, Sam Shepard saw him break the Dromore defensive line and cross the white line for Armagh’s first try of the day. The extras were added by Glenn Faloon in what was a tough kick for the youngster. Both sides continued to fight for the remainder of the half but the scoreline was not to change and Armagh run in at the interval 10-03 ahead.

Armagh emerged for the second half with their three replacements now on the playing field. They continued where they had left off scoring within minutes of the restart, but it was not all plain sailing and there were a few anxious plays beforehand…

Firstly Armagh won a lineout on their own five metre line and the ball was sent to No. 10, Faloon to clear however under considerable pressure he stepped his man and sent the ball out wide to Full Back Brady. Still inside their own try line Brady and Captain, David Loughran created a switch play that sent Brady on a full length run of the field to score arguably one of the best tries the back pitch in Armagh has ever seen. The conversion by Faloon struck the uprights to leave the scores at 15-3 to the hosts with 48 minutes of the encounter gone.

Armagh’s tails were now up and it wasn’t long before they scored once more. The Armagh pack was had the upper hand and a scrum followed by another great drive from the second row Conor Chapman saw the ball send wide to Andrew Brady who showed another set of clean heels. A smart offload to Andrew Pogue who powered his way across the line despite the efforts of two Dromore forwards. The resultant conversion was scored by Faloon to give Armagh a commanding 22-03 lead.

Dromore came right back at Armagh and although the defence weathered the storm you could only but feel that a score from them was iminient. They got their just rewards with a converted try to bring them right back into the game at the end of the third quarter. Some five minutes later Armagh found themselves in enemy territory again and were awarded a penalty and this time chose to opt for the posts. Glenn Faloon did not disappoint and Armagh extended their lead to 25 points to ten.

Some complacency had now set in to the hosts and Dromore were beginning to gain the upper hand. They attacked and attacked and the Armagh defence stood strong for the biggest part of it. A quick change of direction saw Armagh outnumbered as Dromore crossed in the corner. The tough sideline kick was not converted and it left ten points between the side entering the final ten minutes of the match.

The final ten minutes were as entertaining as the previous 70 with both teams going at each other. On the 76 minute mark as Dromore were attacking an intercept by Faloon on the half way line saw him in the clear and he proceeded to run the full way in unopposed and score a ‘Swan-Dive’ try a la Chris Ashton. Glenn recovered and kicked the conversion in what would be the last score of the game. Full Time Score, Armagh 4XV 32-15 Dromore 3XV

This Armagh team and their mentors will have gained a lot of confidence from what was another stirring performance. They now face another week off before welcoming Ballynahinch Evergreens to the Palace Grounds in what promises to be equally an entertaining game of Rugby if last years three encounters between the sides are anything to go by.

Team: (1-15) R. Nicholl, M. Kilic, P. Chapman, C. Chapman, A. Pogue, A. Hume, T. McBride, J. Kirkland, R. Crozier, G. Faloon, C. Campbell, M. Allen, S. Shepard, D. Loughran ©, A. Brady.
Replacements: A. McClenaghan, R. Davidson, C. Mackle