City of Armagh Seconds 31 Dromore First XV 22

Saturday 2nd November 2019
Match report by John Faloon

City of Armagh Seconds faced Dromore 1st XV at the Palace Grounds on Saturday in the Kukri Ulster Conference League. With both teams playing each other again this coming weekend in the quarter final of the Junior Cup, this was always going to be a game of interest.

Straight from the kick off, Dromore went searching for the first score, with early pressure from a rolling maul following a lineout. Armagh defended well and were able to clear their line. Returning from injury, Dylan Nelson was putting good pressure on his opposite number when unfortunately he suffered a similar knee injury again. Armagh had to reshuffle with Harry Ferguson moving to the wing with Jonny Agnew coming on at flanker. Armagh then went on the attack with some good phase play through the forwards and excellent ball retention pushed them up field. From a rolling maul, Armagh hooker Andrew Smith scored the first points of the day. The kick was converted by Harry Boyd for a 7 nil lead.

Straight from restart Armagh pressed again through their forwards and a break up the middle by James Morton eventually lead to another score with Jonny Agnew touching down. Another successful conversion by Harry Boyd made the scoreline 14-0 to Armagh. Dromore where starting to win more ball possession and good pressure kept Armagh on the back foot. Good defence from Armagh centres, Stuart Lester and Luke Crozier forced a knock on and after a good off-load from Lester, Luke Crozier ran from half way for another converted try on 31 minutes and 21-0.

Back came Dromore after the restart with the home side starting to give away needless penalties. Dromore got on the scoresheet following another well worked rolling maul off a lineout just before half time. This brought the scoreline to 21-7 to City of Armagh at the interval.

The second half started in a similar vein with Dromore going on the attack and holding on to possession well. Aaron Whyte came on after the hour mark to bring some fresh legs but it was the Armagh pack that found themselves down a man after Harry Ferguson was shown a yellow for not rolling away. With the extra man advantage, a second try for Dromore brought them right back into the game at 21-14.

Dromore then conceded a penalty close to the half way line which Harry Boyd made no mistake with, to ease the pressure on the home side and bring the score to 24-14. Back came Dromore with some good running rugby on the wing and well worked phase play to bring the ball up to Armagh’s tryline. The Dromore number 8 then picked up from the back of a ruck to score Dromore’s third try. With the conversion successful, a tense final 10 minutes lay ahead with the scoreline at 24-21.

From the restart, Armagh knew they had to keep the ball and play in right areas of the field to keep Dromore out.
It was Armagh who finished strongly and saw the game out with another score after good hands from the backline to send David Agnew in at the corner for the bonus point try. A successful conversion from Boyd made the final score
31-21 to City of Armagh.

This Saturday, the Seconds travel to Dromore for the quarter final of the MMW Junior Cup and a tough encounter will be on the cards. All supporters will be welcome.