28th February 2007

With the League title firmly wrapped up, Armagh had nothing to prove in their league match with Omagh last week.

That, however, did not prevent them turning out a full-strength side which needs to keep in winning form for the forthcoming cup and play-off games. Omagh provided strong opposition but three Armagh tries and the immaculate boot of Johnny Steenson brought victory.

Yet again the city side had to field a new half-back partnership due to the unfortunate injury to Phil Polack in the warm-up before the Dromore game last week.

So, Stephen Auld was at scrum-half and Alan Whitcroft at out-half with the rest of the team in their regular positions. Weather improved for the game, with the gale and rain staying away.

It was Omagh who took advantage of the conditions, scoring an early try from a line-out. The local side soon bounced back with a similar try, with James Morton getting the touch-down.

The conversion was punched wide and the sides exchanged missed penalties to leave the early score at 05-05.

Andy Winder gave Armagh the lead when he scored a fine try in the corner after being fed the ball from Johnny Allen who made great ground up the field.

This time the conversion was good and Armagh grasped the led with a score-line of 12-05, a lead they never lost.

The local pack put in great work to drive Omagh back from a line-out on the Armagh line and followed with a 40 metre drive up-field. A penalty was awarded to the home side for pulling down the maul and Armagh opted for a kick to the corner and a scrum was awarded to the home pack. Omagh managed to wheel the scrum and a brilliant scoring position was lost.

Steenson managed to land another one of his long range penalties to leave the half-time score at 15-05.

Connor O'Neill had to leave the field with a neck injury and the sub Chris Wallace took over in the forwards in the second row as Brian McConnell took over at prop.

Omagh attacked strongly but lost two of the line-outs when they were in a strong scoring position. To take opposition ball is even more effective than monopolising their own throw-ins, as Armagh invariably do.

A determined run by James McCall brought the locals out of danger and Steenson made good ground before scoring two more penalties and bringing the tally to 21-05.

Omagh were not done yet, however, and they finished off with a try in the left corner. A good conversion followed and, at 21-12 the game was rather different. So, Armagh gathered themselves and McCall put in another great run and Stephen Auld finished things off with Armagh 's third try, again converted to leave the final score at 28-12.

The only remaining league game is against Clogher Valley, scheduled for Wednesday 07th March and is not of huge importance.

The next big game is in the Junior Cup against Dungannon Seconds, away, on Saturday 10th March, a repeat of last year's cup final!