Armagh v Naas Match Report 08-12-2018

10 Dec 2018 by City of Armagh Rugby Club

City of Armagh RFC 16 Naas RFC 11
Saturday 8th December 2018
City of Armagh hosted league pace-setters, Naas, on Saturday and in a keenly fought contest, came from 3-11 down to win 16-11 and put in an excellent performance to claim 4 valuable league points.
Neil Faloon returned from long term injury at No8, with Harry Boyd starting at outhalf after some excellent performances for the seconds. John Faloon and Evin Crummie formed a new centre partnership with Johnny Pollock and captain Chris Colvin both injured.
The match kicked off in light rain with Naas on the offensive, kicking an early penalty into the corner and with just five minutes on the clock, opened their account with 3 points from the boot of Peter Osborne. Armagh found themselves pinned back in their half and Naas were making good use of their possession. Naas outhalf, Peter Hastie kicked into the Armagh 22 and the home defence failed to clear, giving the visitors an attacking scrum. The ball was moved swiftly wide and experienced winger, Fionn Carr ghosted past two defenders to score in the right corner with just 15 minutes on the clock. The conversion was unsuccessful but Naas were now ahead 0-8.
The visitors threatened a second score shortly after, but a lineout 5 metres from the Armagh line misfired allowing Armagh to clear. Naas were dominating the first quarter and Hastie cut through a static home defence and a certain try was lost with a poor pass to the winger.
Armagh responded by taking play into Naas territory and put tougher some good phases with Hanna and Starrett prominent. On 25 minutes the visitors infringed close to their line and winger Ryan Purvis knocked over the penalty to reduce arrears to 3-8.
Armagh then infringed in front of their posts and Osborne stretched the visitor’s lead to 3-11 after 30 minutes.
Armagh then had a good attacking spell as halftime approached with their lively pack putting Naas on the back foot. Following several forward drives, Harry Body Boyd put in a crossfield kick dropping on the try line. The Naas defender failed to secure the ball and winger Andrew Willis was alert to dive on the lose ball for a try. Purvis converted and City of Armagh were right back in contention at 10-11. Naas attacked for the last few minutes of the half but a resolute Armagh defence held firm and the whistle blew for halftime with a solitary point between the sides.
Armagh kicked off the second half and seemed to have renewed energy as they took the game to Naas. An early penalty was kicked into the corner and the Armagh pack drove for the line only for the referee to award a penalty for blocking, allowing Naas off the hook. The home side continued to probe for a gap but the Naas defence was well marshalled. On 54 minutes, prop Paul Mullen was hit by a no arms tackle and the referee awarded a penalty which Purvis converted from 30 metres to put Armagh ahead for the first time at 13-11.
On 61 minutes Purvis popped over another penalty to edge Armagh ahead 16-11 and a tense final 20 minutes was on the cards.
Armagh’s defence was first class as Naas looked to spread the ball at every opportunity. Shea O’Brien replaced Willis on the wing and never missed a tackle. With 5 minutes remaining, outhalf Boyd picked off an interception on the Naas 10 metre line and charged into the 22, but Hastie made a try-saving tackle on John Faloon, forcing the centre into touch. Robert Whitten then stole the Naas lineout as pressure on the visitors mounted with the experienced James Morton driving for the line. A knock on allowed Naas to clear as the match drew to a close with Nass unable to break out of their half. Final score, City of Armagh 16, Naas 11.
The Armagh coaching team were delighted with the team’s overall performance this week following the disappointment of the previous weekend at Buccaneers. Willie Faloon commented, “ we did start a little slower in the first quarter this week allowing a good Naas team to dictate play but thankfully we pegged them back with that crucial try just before halftime. Our second half performance was excellent with a really sound defensive display which was needed in a tight match like this”.
Next up for City of Armagh on Saturday is a short trip to Banbridge for a local Ulster derby match, with just a single point between the two teams in Division 1B, with Armagh in fourth place and Banbridge fifth.

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