City of Armagh Seconds 28 Ballynahinch Seconds 26

Saturday 16th November 2019
Report by Evan Morton

With City of Armagh Seconds still undefeated since their first fixture of the season at the end of August, their record was to be put to the test on Saturday by an inform Ballynahich seconds side, boosted by the release of Ulster Academy players.

Conditions were near perfect on the back pitch as Ballynahinch started the game and got off to a dream start. The Co Down side caught their own kick off, spread the ball quickly and sent their winger in for a try in the first minute. A fine conversion saw the home side trailing 0-7. From the restart, Armagh looked to respond and pressed forward through good carries by Gareth McNiece and Ollie Miller. Following an Armagh scrum and several phases later, Armagh broke down the blindside through flanker Harry Ferguson who offloaded to scrum-half Alex Johnston to crash over for Armagh’s first try. A tough conversion was mastered by outhalf, Harry Boyd to leave the score at 7-7 early in the first half. Back came Hinch with some strong running through their backline. Uncharacteristically, Armagh leaked a couple of missed tackles and allowed Hinch to get in for another score which was unconverted, 7-12.
The Hinch pack then started to infringe at the breakdown incurring the attention of international referee David Wilkinson and this allowed Armagh outhalf Harry Boyd to convert two quick penalties in front of the posts to edge the home side ahead 13-12.
Armagh started to build momentum further and gained good territory once again through strong running from full back Glen Faloon. Armagh spread the ball wide and sent winger, David Agnew in at the corner for another try. This time the tough conversion was missed but Armagh were ahead 18-12 in an entertaining match that was living up to expectations. Ballynahinch however were to regain the lead with another converted try when they ran the ball from deep helped by missed tackles in Armagh’s defensive line.
With a one point advantage, 18-19, Ballynahinch where then reduced to 14 men after a deliberate knock on from their winger preventing a certain try for Armagh and getting 10 minutes in the sinbin for his actions. Second row, Stephen Morton then had to leave the field for Armagh after picking up a thigh injury and was replaced by older brother James, who brought his vast experience to the game.
As the half-time interval approached, Armagh turned down the chance for 3 points from a kickable penalty and opted for a scrum. The Hinch pack however won a scrum penalty and cleared the danger. The whistle sounded for half time with Ballynahinch holding on to their narrow lead, 18-19, pleasing coach Brian McLoughlin who was in attendance.

Following halftime instructions from coach David Eakin, straight from restart Armagh pushed forward deep into Hinch territory. Strong running from props, Aaron Whyte and Eoin O’Hagan forced the visitors to infringe at the side of a ruck. Harry Boyd kicked to touch to give his forwards a perfect platform to set up a maul. It was a pinpoint lineout throw from hooker, Peter Lamb who then went to the back of the maul to help drive his pack towards the line. Two yards out, Peter broke off and forced his way over to score in the corner, putting Armagh back into lead. The touchline conversion was missed, leaving the score at 23-19 to City of Armagh.
With 15 minutes remaining, Armagh Seconds weren’t finished scoring just yet. After Ballynahinch had kicked deep into the Armagh half, Glen Faloon broke the Hinch line and offloaded to brother, John Faloon who made good yards. With James Morton up in support, he carried on further and Armagh again had great ball retention. Quick hands from Harry Boyd and Luke Crozier got the ball to David Agnew who rounded his defender and scored his second try of the day. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 28-19 with 10 minutes remaining.
Credit to the Hinch side who were not finished by any means. The Co Down side came back hard and set up a great score under the posts after some good phase play from their big pack and nice hands from the backline. A tense final five minutes was to follow with the score 28-26 to Armagh.
The restart was gathered by the Hinch pack and they started to make way up the field in search of a winning score but great defence from Ollie Millar and Andrew Smyth held firm. A good steal at a lineout by James Morton regained possession for Armagh who were able to see the game out after a few phases of tight rugby. The fulltime whistle went and City of Armagh had won an enthralling game 28-26, keeping their hopes alive for a third successive Conference League title. Man of the match was judged to be Glen Faloon who posed a threat throughout the game.

The team can now take a well-earned rest for a week to prepare for the Junior Cup semi-final against Carrickfergus on Saturday November 30th at the Palace Grounds.