Instonians 1st XV 5 City of Armagh 2nd XV 34

Saturday 11th October 2019​​​​​​ Report by John Faloon

On Saturday 12th October, City of Armagh 2nd XV travelled to Shaw’s Bridge to take on Instonians 1st XV in the Kukri Conference League Division 1. Instonians were unbeaten coming into the fixture having defeated CIYMS, Grosvenor and drawing with Carrick.
The game started at a frantic pace with Instonians’ heavy pack trying to exert pressure on the Armagh scrum. However, it was Armagh who got points on the board first, with a try from South African lock JJ Scheepers, going over from close range after some confusion at a 5 metre lineout. The try was converted by outhalf Harry Boyd.
Instonians replied quickly after some impressive scrummaging set a good platform for the home side, their backline then did the damage as they crossed the Armagh line for an unconverted try. From a scrum 23 metres out, centre Joe Fryers made a clean break. He was well supported by out half Scott Mclean who almost made it to the line. Blindside flanker Conor McCormick was then on hand to add the finishing touch to race in for an unconverted try.
From an attacking lineout on the Instonians 22, Armagh moved the ball into midfield, where the referee penalised the home side for hands in the ruck. Harry Boyd kicked the straight-forward penalty and this was enough to see Armagh go into half time with a 10-5 lead.
Straight after the restart, Boyd extended the visitor’s lead with another penalty after Instonians infringed again at the ruck to make it 13-5.
The superior fitness of the Armagh pack was beginning to show, with Oliver Millar breaking through the middle of the Instonians defence and side stepping the full back to score underneath the uprights. The conversion was added by Harry Boyd.
Due to an Injury to fullback, Mervyn Brown, openside flanker Harry Ferguson found himself on the right wing. He then used his strength to get over the line following some good handling from the inside backs. Harry Boyd added the extras making the scoreline 5-27.
To complete the scoring JJ Scheepers got over for his second try of the game following a powerful run up the middle of the pitch with Instonians a man short due to injury. Boyd was again accurate with the conversion.
The game finished on a somewhat sour note with a red card for the Instonians tighthead prop, as some frustration began to show from the Belfast side. The referee blew for full time with City of Armagh victorious 5-34.
City of Armagh came away from Shaws Bridge having scored 34 points, picking up a bonus point and conceding just a solitary try and putting in an excellent all round performance.