Armagh2 v Clogher Valley1 Match Report 18-10-2019

21 Oct 2019 by City of Armagh Rugby Club

City of Armagh Seconds 19 Clogher Valley Firsts 12

Friday 18th October 2019

Match report by John Faloon

City of Armagh Seconds played Clogher Valley in a Conference League game under the lights at the Palace Grounds on Friday night in what turned out to be a terrific advertisement for club rugby. It was a much changed Second XV that took the field due to unavailability and injury and the players who stepped up, all played a key role in securing a win for the home side.

Clogher kicked off and soon got into their rhythm with their pressing game, however good defensive work by Peter Lamb and James Morton led to a turnover and a good carry by JJ Scheepers. On 23 minutes after the home side had a try disallowed for a knock on, a penalty advantage was awarded. From the resulting 5 metre lineout, Jack Treanor crashed over for the first points of the evening. Clogher tried to impose themselves on the game, only to be met with a very strong defensive effort from the home team with Morris, Ryan Morton and McNeice heavily involved.

The halftime whistle went with City of Armagh holding a narrow 5-0 lead.

The second half commenced with Armagh on the front foot looking to press home their advantage. A loose ball from a Clogher lineout was turned over by Gareth McNeice and the onrushing Lamb burst clear to score from 35 metres out. With the conversion by Glen Faloon, Armagh now had a comfortable 12-0 lead. On 50 minutes, Scheepers had another strong run into Clogher territory only for the ball to be turned over from a lack of support. Quick hands by Clogher led to a converted try by winger Haire after a sweeping move from 60 metres out. This gave the visitors encouragement and shortly after from a 5 metre lineout move, Clogher scored their second try from a rehearsed lineout ploy to tie the game at 12-12.

From the restart both teams continued to attack but both defences were standing firm. With just five minutes to go and a draw looking like the likely outcome, Armagh’s Jonny Agnew showed good pace and after breaking a tackle out wide, he off-loaded to team captain John Faloon, who shrugged off the last defender and powered over to score at the posts. With the conversion added, the Seconds were able to see the game out.

The final result after a hard-fought match was 19-12 and City of Armagh consolidated their position as league leaders. The Seconds now take a week off before they face a crunch Conference League fixture when high-flying Dromore travel to the Palace Grounds on November 2nd.

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