8th August 2006

In the second of two games between Armagh and Rainey sides in four days, the 1st XV drew 10-10 with the Magherafelt outfit at the Palace Grounds last week. It was a strange game, partly a training match for both sides.

It was, for example, played in four quarters and in each there were uncontested scrums, and no conversion kicks were attempted, nor were any penalty kicks.

In addition, personnel and positional changes were constantly made by both sides so it was difficult to establish continuity let alone recognise the players.

However, Armagh came out of the proceedings with a great deal of credit. The fifteen who started did very well and the replacements also found their form.

In addition there are other players ready to enter the running, so Armagh would appear to have a very strong and impressive line-out taking into account the return of the new club captain James Morton, to add to the existing Joe Clarke, Eddie Orr and Davy Martin.

The backs seemed to enjoy the opportunity to run the ball and showed how they could blend together.

Alan Redpath made a good clean break early on when Armagh had possession he kicked ahead only for Johnny Allen to be beaten to the touch down.

The other winger, Mark Laverty, scored Armagh 's first try when the ball was passed beautifully across the backline. A number of changes were made for the second quarter when Rainey scored twice.

The second Armagh try was scored by Andy Morton to leave Armagh level.