City of Armagh RFC 27 Highfield RFC 21

Saturday 22nd January
Report by Evan Morton

Saturday’s match at home to Highfield will be one talked about for years to come as a match that had everything in terms of tension and drama and in particular, a much needed victory for City of Armagh.
No one would have predicted the home side would have put in a stunning performance to lead 27 nil at the break and then for the second time at home this season, fail to score in the second half. The story of the second half however was not of a collapse by the home side but a resurgence from the Cork team that typified why the Munster side are front-runners to win promotion to Division 1A. In a pulsating second period, Armagh were frequently under the cosh but showed tremendous resilience to come out on
top 27-21.

The game started with City of Armagh immediately on the front foot, looking to put the disappointing performance the previous week, behind them. An early kick in behind the defence by Kyle Faloon resulted in a dropout from the tryline as Armagh dominated early possession. On 10 minutes, the home side were hit with a major blow with top points scorer, Kyle Faloon having to leave the field with a leg injury. Matthew Hooks came on to the wing as replacement and Shea O’Brien moved to fullback. A penalty was awarded to the home side and it was outhalf, Harry Boyd who opened the scoring at 3-0.
From the restart, number 8 Neil Faloon cheered the spectators when he made a 40 metre break, taking play up to the Highfield 22. An Armagh forward was then penalised for going of their feet and Highfield kicked down the touch line. The visitors then had a good attacking spell and brough play deep into the Armagh 22. A vital turnover 5 yards from their tryline relieved the pressure on the home side.
Armagh returned to Highfield territory when Andrew Willis, who was playing in his 150th AIL match, made a break on the right wing. A high tackle stopped the big winger but Boyd’s attempt on goal was narrowly wide.
Two minutes later the Armagh outhalf had another shot at goal when Highfield again were penalised on their 22. No mistake this time and the home side were now ahead 6-0 with 23 minutes played.

From the restart, Highfield kicked over the Armagh defensive line but Shea O’Brien was covering well and took possession 10 yards outside his 22. The young full-back then counter attacked at pace, beating several defenders before off-loading to Ross Taylor for the centre to score a stunning try in the corner. Boyd kicked a superb touchline conversion and City of Armagh were now ahead 13-0 with 26 minutes played.

Highfield responded with an attacking spell in the Armagh 22 but the well-marshalled home defence held firm. A loose pass from Highfield went to ground and scrum half Gerard Treanor scooped up possession and kicked 60 metres down the pitch. Highfield scrambled back in defence and then lost their hooker with a nasty back injury. A penalty allowed Highfield to clear the danger, but the visitors were unable to break down an Armagh team playing full of confidence. Another Ryan O’Neill turnover set up another attack for Armagh as they pinned Highfield back in their 22. The visitor’s backline strayed offside and Boyd kicked into the corner. The lineout was secured by Josh McKinley and a superb drive saw hooker Jack Treanor dive over for Armagh’s second try on 36 minutes. Another terrific conversion from Boyd gave Armagh a 20 point lead over the Cork side and the home supporters were thrilled.

As the match headed towards the interval, Armagh continued to dominate possession and continued to attack in Highfield territory. Jack Treanor won possession on the floor and Ryan O’Neil and Neil Faloon both carried well, before their back row partner, Nigel Simpson made a 30 metre break but the final pass went into touch. Armagh then stole the Highfield lineout and Taylor and McNeice made hard yards before Gerard Treanor chipped the ball to the left wing. The ball bounced awkwardly for the Highfield winger and Matthew Hooks pounced to kick the ball over the tryline and touch down for Armagh’s third try in first half injury time.
Harry Boyd converted and the half time whistle went with Armagh remarkably leading 27-0 after a terrific performance in the first forty minutes.

The home side knew Highfield would regroup at halftime and they would not be able to sit back and defend for 40 minutes. Armagh started the second half brightly, with O’Brien and Hooks both attacking from their own 22. A knock on followed by a scrum penalty then let Highfield kick down into Armagh territory. Two more penalties were conceded and suddenly Highfield had all the momentum. A scrum 3 metres from the Armagh line gave a perfect platform for the visitors who, following three more penalties, were awarded the inevitable penalty try on 50 minutes. A silly mistake, in front of the kicker at the restart, let Highfield back into Armagh territory and yet another penalty set up an attacking lineout. The Highfield pack drove forward and set up a series of pick and drives before crossing for a try at the posts on 56 minutes. The successful conversion made the scoreline 27-14 and Highfield knew the game was far from lost with 20 minutes still to play.
Chris Colvin then joined the action after his injury layoff and James Crummie also took the field. A penalty to Highfield set up a lineout on the Armagh 22 but the home side then won one of their two penalties in the whole of the second half at the breakdown to clear the danger. Another penalty to Highfield, another lineout, but this time an Armagh steal, kept Highfield at bay. More Armagh reinforcements were needed with James Morton and Philip Fletcher arriving on the pitch. Three more penalties to Highfield led to a lineout 5 minutes from the Armagh line and with 70 minutes now on the clock, the referee’s patience ran out and Josh McKinley received a yellow card for killing the ball. Highfield tapped the penalty and drove hard for the line but were inches short. The ball was moved wide and the Highfield left winger looked certain to score but dropped the ball over the line after a tackle by Gerard Treanor. The referee adjudged the tackle was high and awarded a second penalty try to Highfield and a yellow card to Treanor.

With 13 players on the pitch and the scoreline 27-21, Armagh were going to have to dig deep to avoid what would be a crushing defeat. The final five minutes were tense and a cheer went up when Armagh were awarded a penalty. Nerves told when Highfield stole the lineout and regained possession. Seven minutes of added time were played and this allowed McKinley back on the field to make it 14 on the pitch for Armagh. The home side managed to hold out for the final few minutes and the final whistle went, to call an end to an extraordinary game.

City of Armagh had won 27-21 and Head Coach, Chris Parker was naturally delighted. “The first half was the best forty minutes we have played all season and I was pleased to see a reaction from the boys. The whole squad showed real grit and determination in that second half to withstand a superb fightback by Highfield.
We still need to improve on certain elements of our game management and we are focused now on a tough encounter facing us this week at Malone.”

Next up for City of Armagh this Saturday, is an away AIL fixture at Gibson Park Belfast with Malone the opposition.