Armagh Seconds Stroll to Victory in Omagh
The seconds resumed their second fifteen league campaign with a comprehensive 40-0 win against Omagh seconds. With several personnel and positional changes, the game kicked off with Armagh facing the slope and wind. The forwards set about making the hard yards picking and driving and with good ball retention play was brought into the Omagh half. The Omagh defence scrambled on occasions to defend their line, however good back play by Kyle Faloon and Andrew Magowan put Luke Crozier through for a try on 12minutes. Play resumed with Armagh working their way back into Omagh territory only for mistakes and the conceding of several penalties handing the initiative back to Omagh. With John Clarke, Jack Treanor and Peter Lamb in the front row, the scrums were comfortable and provided a steady source of ball for the backs. Nathan Rogers at 9 is showing a maturity beyond his years with Magowan able to set his backline in motion with accurate passing. From loose play in midfield, Ryan Morton and Treanor broke the Omagh defensive line creating space for the supporting Magowan to touch down at the posts. Faloon added the conversion to bring the score to 12-0. With the team beginning to find their rhythm and with Josh Kennedy and Gareth McNeice probing the omagh defence with their ball carrying, Faloon weaved his way through the home defence for a fine try. With the conversion added, the half time whistle sounded shortly after, 19-0 to Armagh. With not having played for the previous three weeks some rustiness was apparent however there were signs of the cohesiveness returning on the restart with a turnover ball just outside Armagh’s 22. Treanor, Lamb and Stephen Morton were prominent taking the ball deep into the Omagh half and with Magowan latching onto a pass, he created the space for Ollie Millar to finish off from 30 metres out. The extra points were added and with the score pushed out to 26-0, Omagh knew they had an uphill task to get any reward from the game. Further scores were added to the tally when Bogitini made good ground and off loaded to the supporting Ryan Morton to cross at the posts. McNiece spotted a gap at a ruck and drove forward offloading to Willie Martin who touched down at the posts from 25 metres out. Matthew Steenson added both conversations to bring the final score to, Armagh seconds 40 Omagh seconds 0. Patrick Chapman and John Johnston made their seconds fifteen debuts from the bench at prop and wing respectively and both gained vital experience playing at this level. Next up is the Towns Cup quarter final game against Dromore at home next Saturday. With the first fifteen on AIL duty at Old Beveldere in Dublin, any supporters who can’t travel are encouraged to come down to the Palace grounds to lend their support to this young exciting side in what is sure to be a very entertaining game.