Armagh Seconds take step towards League title.
The seconds travelled last Saturday to play an important 2nd fifteen premier league game against old foes Ballynahinch seconds. In what was a windy day with the occasional shower the game kicked off with the visitors playing downhill towards the club house. Hinch collected and took play into Armagh territory with their forwards driving hard at Armagh’s defensive line. It soon became apparent however that Armagh had the edge in the scrums with Clarke, Lamb and Lutton providing a solid platform and Morton and Kennedy providing the power. Armagh worked their way downfield where they had a lineout midway between the 10metre and 22 lines. Unfortunately at this stage the wind had developed into a gale and took the ball away from the lineout giving Hinch scrum ball. With Rogers and Pollack working well together Matty Clarke was put in the clear to take play up to the Hinch line when he was tackled short. From ruck ball, lamb went on a charge only to be stopped short. Play switched to the other side when quick hands allowed John Faloon to burst through mid way out for a deserved try. In the blustery conditions the conversion was missed so the score remained 5-0 to Armagh. Hooks, Finn and McNeice were covering a lot of ground throughout and it was after a couple of penalty scrums that Kyle Faloon added 3 points to the score line with a penalty in front of the posts, 8-0 to Armagh on 32 minutes. Bogotini made a burst down the line but was tackled short and shortly after, some forward pressure in the Hinch 22, he was denied a try when the referee was unsighted after grounding the ball in the corner. The second half kicked off with Armagh knowing that an 8 point lead was scant reward for their efforts. Hinch were using the slope and wind to gain territory and after several backline moves their right winger touched down in the corner for an unconverted try, 8-5 to Armagh. Armagh restarted the game determined to keep the ball in hand and work their way up field. With seconds debutant Scott Armstrong on the pitch by this stage, the Hinch scramble defence were working overtime to keep their line intact. Eventually it was breached with John Faloon going over again for another try with Kyle adding the points, 15-5 to Armagh. The forward unit were working hard and some great ball retention and offloading brought play up to the Hinch 22 again and with Kyle now in the line, he spotted a gap to go over at the posts. Having added the conversion the final score was 22-5 to Armagh which in the end was a comfortable win and saw the side extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points. Next up for Armagh is the River Rock Towns Cup semi final at Ballyclare next Saturday, all support will be very welcome.