Armagh Seconds step it up a gear.

Instonians were the visitors to the Palace Grounds on Saturday to play the local seconds in a conference league game which Armagh had to win to maintain their position as league leaders of Ulster rugby Championship conference league one. With several changes to the side due to 1st xv requirements on the front pitch, the seconds kicked off on a dull dry day with an Inst forward knocking on from the dropout. Instonians were able to apply pressure to the Armagh scrum and the advantage was lost. Harry Boyd who was making his first appearance this season converted a 5th minute penalty. Inst played their way into the home 22 and after a clever lineout move, their second row forward crashed over for a five pointer. On the restart Inst had possession on the half way when Pau Gimeno intercepted and raced off to touch down at the posts. Boyd converted and Armagh had regained the lead 10-5. With both teams running the ball at every opportunity, further tries arrived including one for William Holden after a break by Misi and the Inst winger after a flowing backline move to the corner. Just before halftime, Pau broke up field to send Stuart Hooks on a run to the corner for another unconverted try, half time score Armagh 20, Instonians 12. On the restart and with the spectators expecting more of the same, sure enough the home backs worked Kyle Faloon clear to score at the posts on 43minutes with Boyd adding the points. Inst retorted with a positional kick to the corner only for the home fullback to knock on. From the ensuing scrum, the Inst fullback went blind and put the Inst winger over at the corner, 27-17 to Armagh. With Carlisle, Andrew Morton and John Fletcher carrying well, the home side found themselves in Inst territory and after a reset scrum, Kennedy and McNeice drove for the line and when stopped, Misi nipped in to gather and touch down at the posts. Slack play by the home side let Inst in for 2 quick scores to close the gap to 34-29. A straight forward Boyd penalty on 69 minutes settled the nerves and shortly after, great inter play from Pau, Hooks and McKeever put Boyd in the clear for another try. Straight from the restart a flowing move from half way ended with Faloon coasting down the line for a converted try to finish the scoring. Final score Armagh 54, Instonians 29.