Dromore 1st XV 9 City of Armagh 2nd XV 10

Saturday 9th November 2019
Report by Evan Morton

City of Armagh Seconds travelled to Barban Hill in Dromore on Saturday to play the host club in the Quarter Final of the Miller McCall Wylie Junior Cup. In wet and windy conditions, Armagh’s kick off went straight into touch and the home team took possession from the resulting scrum. Both sides put in early kicks to test defences and Armagh winger, David Agnew got his hands on the ball early for a probing run. The visitors took play into Dromore territory and from a ruck just outside the 22, the experienced James Morton burst through and was halted just short of the line. Scrum half, David Spratt was in support to take a scoring pass and cross under the posts. The conversion by Harry Boyd gave Armagh a 7 nil lead with just three minutes on the clock.

Dromore looked to bounce back and a quick tap penalty by scrum half Steenson led to an attacking lineout on the Armagh 22. A knock on saw the opportunity lost as both teams struggled with the slippery ball in the driving rain.
Lyttle, the Dromore outhalf, kicked into the corner but a 22 drop out resulted. Armagh then had a man in front of the kicker, inviting more pressure on themselves.
With 17 minutes on the clock, Armagh were penalised on their 22 and scrum half Steenson got Dromore on the scoreboard at 3-7. Dromore then won a penalty from the restart and after pick and driving, they chipped ahead. Armagh counter attacked, but a handling error gave the initiative back to Dromore. The visitors however won a scrum penalty and kicked down the line. The lineout was won in a scrappy fashion and Armagh looked to press home their advantage with Ollie Miller and Harry Ferguson taking on the opposition. Dromore’s defence however, was well organised and a clever kick by Boyd resulted only in a 22 drop out. Errors from the Armagh side continued with Dromore gaining a lineout on halfway and the visitors were penalised when they pulled down the maul. From a lineout on the 22 the offence was repeated and Dromore secured a lineout just 5 metres from the Armagh line, with their pack looking to rumble over from close quarters. The Armagh pack just managed to hold out and then secured a terrific turnover to relieve the pressure. The Orchard County side made a safe exit and a Dromore knock on allowed Boyd
to gain territory for the visitors deep in the Dromore half.
With half an hour played, Armagh then had an attacking spell, but were thwarted when Dromore turned over possession on their 22. Their clearance went straight out and Armagh were awarded a lineout on the 22 metre line. The visitors messed this up and conceded a free kick and Dromore were able to see out a scrappy first half with the score at the interval showing the visitors holding on to their narrow 3-7 lead.

The second half started with Dromore making an error when their kick didn’t go 10 metres. From the scrum, Spratt kicked down field and Armagh won a lineout on the 22. Dromore defended well and the visitors lost ground before Boyd kicked again for territory. Dromore secured their lineout and made a blind side break. The visitors were penalised for a high tackle and Steenson took another tap penalty. Armagh were penalised for not retreating 10 metres and Dromore were back in Armagh territory. The visitors regained possession and Luke Crozier put in a good touchline kick. Dromore took a quick lineout and looked to run out of defence. Centre Graeme McCandless cut through a static Armagh defence and a try looked on the cards with a two on one before a knock on let Armagh off the hook. The hard working Ollie Miller was replaced by Ross Morris as Dromore continued to have the better of the exchanges. Their endeavour was rewarded on 53 minutes when the visiting backs strayed off side in midfield and Steenson reduced arrears to 6-7 from the resultant penalty.

Two minutes later, Armagh won a penalty on halfway following good work by fullback Glenn Faloon. The visitors won the attacking lineout and went through some phases in Dromore territory. Props John Clarke and Eoin O’Hagan carried well but Armagh’s good work was spoilt by a crucial knock on. A kick was then charged down by Dromore and only a knock on prevented a possible score as the weather was impacting on the quality of rugby on the field.

On 65 minutes the home crowd were cheered when Armagh were penalised for a high tackle on their 22. Steenson‘s kick was successful and for the first time in the match, Dromore were ahead 9 – 7. The home side continued to dictate play but the match continued in a start-stop fashion.
Armagh looked for some inspiration and Stuart Lester collected a kick ahead and made some ground to halfway. Dromore were penalised for a high tackle and Boyd kicked to the 22. Armagh secured their lineout and set up a maul. Barry Finn then broke free and Dromore conceded a penalty on their 22 with just four minutes remaining on the clock. Harry Boyd made no mistake with the kick and Armagh had edged ahead 9 – 10.
Dromore looked for an opportunity to retake the lead but Armagh made a safe exit. When Dromore knocked on, Armagh then held on to possession for several phases as the clock ran down. They did cough up possession however to give Dromore one final role of the dice and the home side were awarded a penalty 10 metres inside their half. The kick failed to find touch however and Armagh were able to close the match out for a notable victory over the Junior Cup holders.

The final scoreline was 9 – 10 to City of Armagh Seconds who progress to the cup semi-final.
After the match, the Armagh coaching team were delighted to have won the game by the slimmest of margins.
Willie Faloon who was unable to be in Limerick with the First XV, praised the team for their commitment and perseverance. “Conditions today were dreadful for rugby and it certainly wasn’t pretty out there. I thought our pack performed well given the challenge we expected from a well-drilled Dromore side. Chances were few and far between, but in cup rugby, margins are very thin. The boys can now look forward to a semi-final tie”.