Seconds start 2nd xv League Campaign in Style
City of Armagh seconds played a strong Malone seconds on Saturday in the first game of the second fifteen league at Gibson Park. With some enforced changes due to the Bateman cup game taking place in Armagh, the game kicked off with the visitors playing up the slope and into the stiff breeze. After conceding an early penalty, Armagh found themselves defending in their own 22 as Malone searched for an early score. With the forwards taking the game to Malone’s big pack, play was taken into the Malone half where Stuart Hooks made a break beating several defenders. The supporting Ollie Millar gathered the ball and took a good line to outpace the defence for a good try on 15 minutes. Due to the breeze, kicking for goal was to be a problem throughout the game so the try was unconverted. Malone replied with a penalty from in front of the posts, 5-3 to Armagh. The lively visiting backline with Girvan, Magowan, Megaw and Crozier prominent took play into Malone’s 22. After a scrum, Girvan took the ball left and after a couple of drives for the line, Ryan Morton scampered over in the corner for an unconverted try. With enterprising play from both sides the game ebbed and flowed as both side’s backlines probed for an opening. Quick hands from Megaw and Crozier sent Misi in at the corner flag for the first of his tries, 15-3 to Armagh on 31 minutes. Malone took play into Armagh’s 22 on the restart and when ball was turned over, Armagh went through the phases however the ball was lost forward and when it was shipped out, Malone where in at the posts for a converted try, 15-10 to Armagh at half time. On the restart with the advantage of the slope and the breeze behind them, Armagh brought play into the home 22. Malone turned the ball over and when the clearing kick was charged down by Millar, he regained possession and flicked the ball out to Lester who dived over in the corner. Matty Clarke and Simon Carlisle joined the fray and added their considerable experience to the line up. Jack Treanor, Willie Martin and Stephen Morton were constantly carrying ball and doing the hard work throughout the game. Shortly after, Faloon added a penalty to the visitors tally to push the score along to 23-15. Malone were by now playing a more forward orientated game and after several scrums deep in Armagh territory they opted for a penalty opportunity in front of the posts to peg the score back to 23-18 on 73 minutes. Armagh had the final say however when the backline attacked into the Malone half and with Magowan slipping his marker, he sent a pass out wide to Misi who finished the move off from 25 metres. This was to prove the final score at 28-18 with the seconds having yet again proved their strength in depth with some exciting play throughout.