City of Armagh RFC 40 Omagh RFC 31

Saturday 14th September 2019

City of Armagh hosted Omagh Academicals on Saturday in their second fixture in the SONI Ulster Premiership and in a high scoring, entertaining match, secured a bonus point win to remain top of Section Two.
The home side got off to a perfect start with a try after 3 minutes. Omagh had kicked off in ideal conditions and following a turnover, centre Shea O’Brien made a break into Omagh territory. The ball was recycled wide to winger Andrew Willis who was stopped just short of the line. Prop, Eoin O’Hagan was up in support to cross from close range. The conversion was unsuccessful but Armagh continued to build on their bright start with a second try on 8 minutes. A chip behind the Omagh defence by outhalf Johnny Pollock bounced fortuitously into the hands of Evin Crummie who touched down. O’Brien kicked the conversion and Armagh were ahead 12-0.
A great first quarter by the home side saw a third try when Crummie created space for winger Dylan Nelson score on his first xv debut, making the scoreline 17-0 in Armagh’s favour.
The visitors did rally and a break on the left wing almost led to a score but a foot in touch resulted in an Armagh lineout. Omagh gained possession and had a spell of pressure close to the Armagh line but a knock on let the home side clear the danger.
Approaching the half hour mark, Armagh made a return to the Omagh 22. Nigel Simpson went close before the visitors were penalised and O’Brien made no mistake from in front of the posts.
Omagh looked to get on the scoresheet before halftime and kicked a penalty into the corner. Armagh disrupted the lineout and the halftime whistle went with City of Armagh holding a comfortable 20 nil lead over the Tyrone visitors.

The second half kicked off and it was Omagh who got off to a quick start with a try on 43 minutes. Armagh’s defence parted like the Red Sea allowing second row Sproule to sprint from the halfway line. The successful conversion brought the scoreline to 20-7. Armagh then edged ahead 23-7 on 46 minutes with 3 points from the boot of O’Brien. The young centre then sliced through the Omagh defence two minutes later and good interplay saw Tim McNeice stopped short of the line. Philip Fletcher had a charge before scrum half Trevor Girvan dotted down for Armagh’s bonus point try. The conversion from O’Brien made it 30-7 and many thought a big score was on the cards for the home side.

When O’Brien cut through for a fine individual try on 53 minutes, the scoreboard reflected a handsome 35-7 lead for the home side. Another first xv debut was given to scum half Alex Johnston as the Armagh bench took to the field.

The final 20 minutes remarkably saw the script being torn and Omagh scored 4 tries as the home side switched off defensively. The first error was a kicked charged down in the Armagh 22 and Omagh accepted the gift of 5 points. Four minutes later the home side were penalised for a late tackle and Omagh opted for a scrum in the Armagh 22. A simple wrap around move saw the ball dotted down under the posts and the score crept up to 35-19.

On 68 minutes Omagh scored another super try with their left winger able to make the line from 50 metres out. The conversion brought the score to 35-26 with Omagh showing great spirit in their fight back.
Armagh did stem the flow with another try of their own with 2 minutes remaining when impressive winger Nelson crossed for his brace of tries following good work by Andrew Winder.
Omagh had the last say however, pouncing on yet another Armagh error when they dropped the ball in the centre of the field and Omagh fullback Elliott, sprinted in unopposed for an unconverted try and a bonus point for the visitors.
This brought an end to the high scoring match with a tally of 11 tries with the final score, City of Armagh 40, Omagh Academicals 31.

This Saturday City of Armagh travel to City of Derry in the quarter final of the Bank of Ireland Senior Cup and they will need to erase their defensive frailties if they are to progress beyond this tricky encounter.