Armagh2 v Carrick Match Report 30-11-2019

2 Dec 2019 by City of Armagh Rugby Club

City of Armagh Seconds 33 Carrickfergus 1st XV 18
Saturday 30th November 2019
Report by Evan Morton

City of Armagh Second XV reached the final of the Miller McCall Wylie Junior Cup after defeating Carrickfergus RFC in an entertaining semi-final at the Palace Grounds on Saturday. The team will now play Enniskillen in the final on January 7th at the Kingspan Stadium, their second final in three years.

On a bright, sunny afternoon, Armagh kicked off towards the city end and the visitors made their first foray into Armagh territory. The home made an early turnover and then won a penalty just inside the Carrick half. Outhalf, Harry Boyd took a long range attempt at goal but his kick from 45 metres was narrowly wide. The home were dominating possession in the early stages but it was Carrick who got on the scoreboard first when the home side were penalised on their 22. Outhalf Adam White made no mistake and the visitors were 0-3 ahead on 13 minutes.
Armagh responded with good interplay to take play up to the Carrick 22. Centre Stuart Lester carried well and good continuity had Carrick defending their tryline. The Armagh pack made some good drives and hooker Jack Treanor, reached through a pile of bodies to score the opening try of the match. The conversion was unsuccessful but the home side had edged ahead 5-3 at the end of the first quarter.

The visitors went straight back on the attack and an Armagh handling error gave Carrick a 5 metre scrum. The ball was moved swiftly to the right and full back McKeown was stopped just short. The ball was recycled and Ryan McGonigle charged over for a great score. The conversion was missed but Carrick now led 5-8 with 25 minutes played.
Armagh stepped up a gear and a penalty for offside was kicked down the line. The lineout was secured and scrum half Alex Johnston swiftly moved play to midfield. Team captain, John Faloon then took a crash ball and broke the tackle to score to the left of the posts. With 32 minutes on the clock, Boyd’s conversion edged Armagh ahead 12-8.
From the restart, veteran James Morton broke clear but the supporting player knocked on giving Carrick an attacking scrum. The visitors looked to capitalise and with first half injury time being played, they were awarded a penalty in front of the Armagh posts. Adam White converted and the halftime whistle went with underdogs, Carrick, well in the game at 12-11.

Carrick got the second half underway in this evenly balanced encounter but an early penalty saw Armagh back on the offensive in Carrick territory. Daryl Morton was prominent in the loose play but the Carrick defence was well marshalled. From a lineout on the Carrick 22, Armagh spread the ball and full back Glenn Faloon was close to scoring but was stopped a yard short. Armagh’s attempt to recycle quickly was disrupted illegally by Carrick and the referee awarded the home side a penalty.
Quick thinking by hooker, Jack Treanor saw him tap the ball and drive over from close range for his second try of the match with 47 minutes played. A superb touchline conversion from Harry Boyd saw Armagh stretch their lead to 19-11.

Aaron White and David Spratt joined the action for Armagh as they sought to stretch the Carrick defence. Second row Ollie Miller made a super break from halfway and good support saw play continue deep into the Carrick 22. An Armagh knock on let Carrick clear their line but the momentum was clearly with the home team. From an attacking lineout on 53 minutes, forwards and backs linked well and when the supporting Treanor received the ball, the hooker made a lovely burst to cross for his hat trick of tries. Boyd converted from in front of the posters and City of Armagh were now comfortably ahead, 26-11.
As play moved into the final quarter, Carrick refused to lie down and their lively scrum half took a quick tap penalty to keep Armagh on their toes. Ollie Miller made another trademark line break and it looked like Armagh were set for another score but a knock on saw the opportunity lost.
Mervyn Brown took to the field following a lengthy absence due to injury and the centre slotted in seamlessly with John Faloon taking a rest.
On 65 minutes David Agnew who had looked lively on the wing all day, interlinked with Glenn Faloon and the full back had a clear run to the line. The referee however adjudged the final pass was forward and Carrick were let off the hook.
Carrick then had a good attacking spell instigated by Armagh being penalised for a high tackle.
From the attacking lineout Armagh gave away another needless penalty and Carrick opted for another lineout. The ball was moved to midfield and centre Brian Alexander crashed over for a deserved Carrick try. A successful conversion by Shane Kelly made the scoreline 26-18 with 8 minutes remaining on the clock.
Armagh however were to finish strongly. Carrick looked to run the ball out of their 22 but conceded a lineout to Armagh 8 metres out. The Armagh pack who had been playing well all day then controlled possession through well executed pick and drives. The pressure on the Carrick defence finally brought its reward when flanker Harry Ferguson powered over for Armagh’s fifth try of the match. Harry Boyd completed a fine game with the boot to nail the conversion and the final whistle went with City of Armagh victorious 33-18.

This was an impressive performance by the Seconds with Jack Treanor at hooker remarkably contributing three tries to Armagh’s total. Credit also to the Carrickfergus side who contributed to a competitive match

Second’s coach Davy Eakin, was delighted at the final whistle. “We are pleased to have reached another Junior Cup final and getting our hands on the silverware will prove to be a major challenge. We knew Carrick would be tough opponents today and they caused us lots of problems in that first half. Credit to our boys for taking their chances and five tries was a good reward.”

City of Armagh Seconds now turn their attention back to the Conference League, where two bonus point wins from their last two fixtures will see the team crowned champions again. The first of these is the toughest fixture, way to Grosvenor this Saturday.

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