CITY of ARMAGH 3rd’s 22 INSTONIANS 2nd’s 10

City of Armagh Thirds returned to second place in Provincial League 2 with a convincing bonus point win over Instonians Seconds at the Palace Grounds. With players called up to the Seconds and others unavailable Andrew Brady called in players from the fourths for this return match against the same opposition as last week when Armagh knocked them out of the Crawford Cup.
The benefit of mid-week training was obvious from the moment referee Lynsey
Liggett blew the first to the final whistle. This was one of the most cohesive performance this team has put in since the start of the season. Although the Armagh forwards struggled in the scrum against the heavier Instonians pack they were superb at the breakdown challenging for every ball and in the line outs hooker Tim Henry found the safe hands of Johnston and Gilpin every time.
Playing with the wind in the first half Armagh kept the tempo high and retained possession for long periods keeping the pressure on Instonians. Con Oliver led the pack with impressive carries and inspired the less familiar forwards Paddy Chapman, Mark Mildrew and Archie McAlpine to give 100% to the cause. It was right winger Adam Magowan who got two early tries in the corner with speed and agility dumbfounding the struggling defence. These moves started with stand in scrum half Ruari Karlsen feeding the back line of Andrew Knipe, Nick Jennings, Dan Reynolds and Scott Armstrong with Brady coming into the line from fullback.
Instonians fought back with a try on 25 minutes and the first half finished with. 10-5 lead for the home side.
The second half started at a similar pace and it was not long before flanker Ross Finlay crossed the line, left of the posts. Although the conversion was missed a ten point gap was restored. Nick Jennings played very well at centre and was rewarded with a bonus point fourth try under the posts for Knipe to convert. Although Instonians came back with a highly disputed try they were never going to beat this superior Armagh side with the final score line 22-10.
This was a great match to watch and with every Armagh player, including the substitutes, Rory McCreesh, Gareth Graham and Kurtis Sherry, playing with discipline and control. Using well drilled routines the win was well deserved. The team return to action with a much anticipated home tie against City of Derry 2’s on 7th March.
Armagh: P Chapman, T Henry, J Johnston, T Gilpin, C Oliver, R Finlay, M Mulgrew, A McAlpine, R Karlsen, A Knipe, A Magowan, N Jennings, D Reynolds, S Armstrong, A Brady, R McCreesh, G Graham, K Sherry
Tries: A Magowan (2), R Finlay, K Sherry
Conversion: A Knipe