City of Armagh RFC 13 Navan RFC 18

Saturday 6th November 2021
Report and by Evan Morton

City of Armagh lost at home to Navan RFC on Saturday suffering a setback to their Energia All Ireland League programme with two defeats in a row now after a promising start. In poor, wet conditions, it was Armagh who kicked off, electing to play into a strong breeze. The home side looked to put the visitors under early pressure but Navan were able to clear any danger with a kick downfield. An early Navan clearance was charged down but Armagh knocked on in the follow up. Outhalf, Harry Boyd looked to kick for territory and put a good 50-22 kick in, to set up an Armagh attack in the Navan 22. Armagh were then penalised for holding on at the next phase and Navan cleared downfield. The home side stole a couple of early lineouts from the opposition and Navan were finding it difficult getting a foothold in Armagh territory. On 19 minutes the visitors did open their account, when outhalf, Ben Daly converted a penalty for a 3 nil lead. Navan knocked on the restart and from the resulting scrum Andrew Willis, making his 143rd AIL appearance, came off his wing but was well tackled. Disaster then struck for Armagh when Daly intercepted an Armagh pass and raced 80 metres to score the game’s opening try. This was the second game in a row Armagh had given away an interception score when pressing in the opposition 22. The try was unconverted but Navan’s confidence was boosted, leading 0-8 after the first quarter.
Armagh responded quickly and fullback, Kyle Faloon converted a penalty for a high tackle to get the home side off the mark at 3-8. From the restart Armagh then had a clearance kick charged down but Navan
knocked on in the follow up. A scrum penalty to Navan gave them a lineout 5 metres from the Armagh line and following a couple of phases, South African number 8, Hardus van Eedan crossed for an unconverted try. With 30 minutes played, Navan were now leading 3-13. Armagh looked to reduce the arrears but their attempts to break down a well-marshalled Navan defence proved fruitless and the halftime whistle blew with Navan still holding their 10 point lead.

The home side now had the wind at their backs for the second half and on 45 minutes, Faloon kicked a penalty to narrow the gap to 6-13. Navan however still posed a danger and a threatening run from deep was halted by a high tackle, with Daly kicking down the line. The visitors won their lineout and Daly used his pace to stretch the Armagh defence with Rory Gordon almost in for a try in the corner. The danger signs were flashing for Armagh and Navan’s attacking endeavours were rewarded with their third try of the match, scored by centre Evan Dixon. With 50 minutes played, a real upset was on the cards with Navan now leading 6-18. Armagh’s lethargic performance continued and Navan had another attacking spell in the Armagh 22.
An Armagh turnover cleared the danger and from a Navan lineout, substitute Armagh hooker, Jack Treanor collected an overthrow and made a good 20 metre break. Willis and Colvin looked to break through on the left wing, but the Navan defence held firm. Following good pressure in the Navan 22, Boyd fed the ball to Kyle Faloon and the full back crossed for a well-worked try, which the scorer converted. With 60 minutes played, it was now a one score match at 13-18. The home side looked to rescue the game in the final quarter but a lack of accuracy let them down. As conditions worsened, Navan dug deep and defended heroically as Armagh pushed for a further try. Tension mounted going into the final 5 minutes. Navan’s Liam Carroll received a yellow card for a high tackle but Armagh’s kick into the corner went dead. They still had a chance to win the game however with a series of scums in front of the Navan posts in the final 2 minutes. Armagh’s Ryan O’Neill thought he had scored the winning try after a quick tap penalty but the referee called play back.
A penalty to Navan then sealed the match and they cleared their line as the final whistle went, much to the joy of the visiting team who had just won their second successive match. In contrast, City of Armagh left the field dejected after a very flat performance that would have left the coaching team extremely frustrated.

Head Coach, Chris Parker, commented, “today’s performance was hugely disappointing as we created enough chances to win two games. We need to be more composed in the opposition 22 and convert our chances into points. Credit to Navan who took their chances, punished our mistakes and deserved the victory. We will use the free week to refocus on our next series of matches in the run up to the Christmas break.”

With a losing bonus point from the match, City of Armagh remain in the top 4 in the league table with three wins from 5 outings. Their next match is two weeks’ time, away to Naas.