08th September 2007

Armagh rugby club began the defence of their league title on Saturday when they travelled to Omagh and trounced the Tyrone side, scoring 6 converted tries in the process. It was an extremely satisfying performance for Colin Steenson, carring on as Armagh coach for another season. This was the first league fixture of the season, after the recent run of practice games, so some players had to be bedded in.

For several players this was their first game in red & black. On the other hand, Johnny Allen, the team’s leading try-scorer from last season has sustained a broken leg and will be unavailable for some weeks yet.

So, for an untried team to produce such a hugely impressive show was a great boost for players, coaches, and the many Armagh supporters. An added advantage was that this season, rather belatedly, bonus points are available for scoring four tries and keeping defeats to a closer margin. By this system Armagh gained an extra point for scoring six tries.

As usual, the pack out-scrummaged the opposition, even when both sides were at full strength. The line-outs were the customary launch pad for Armagh’s attack. The only surprising thing was that Armagh did not gain a try from the catch and drive. James Morton, Eddie Orr and Davy Martin were the usual leading jumpers. The half-backs, Eoghan Curran and Adam Gowing blended very well with the out-half having a great game in launching his three-quarter line.

The other three-quarters, playing together for the first time, had a tremendous game both in looking for gaps themselves and feeding the two wingers.

Their defensive ability should not be overlooked either. On this form Johnny Allen will not be missed as much as we had feared. Behind, Johnny Steenson had a first class game, in attack, defence and kicking.

To convert all six of the tries was a wonderful feat and if the referee had elected to grant Armagh even the occasional penalty then Johnny could well on many more points.

To some extent, the game was spoiled by the reduction by the reduction in numbers of the Omagh team. The red-carding of their hooker and the subsequent loss through injury of another player caused them big problems and they had several more injuries. The introduction of non-contested scrums was a big disappointment for Armagh since they were dominating the scrums up to this point in the game.

On a dry afternoon with a gentle breeze Armagh got off to an excellent start. After two minutes play some quick passing sent Steenson in for a good try which he quickly converted into a seven pointer. Omagh were unable to mount much attacking play at all, and they also had the sloping pitch to contend with.

Chris black made some good ground down his wing but his pass inside was knocked-on. So the next try try was a forward orientated affair. Eddie Orr broke from a line-out and fed James Morton who scored under the posts to make the score 0-14.

Chris Black’s next run down the left wing ended in touch. Davy Martin left the field for a period to receive treatment for an injury. Armagh were confident enough not to bring on a replacement. Some five minutes later he returned to the game.

Alan Redpath was the next try scorer after a phase of good passing by the backs and forwards. He was unlucky soon afterwards to knock-on twenty metres from the Armagh line when a rare Omagh attack left a clear, if lengthy run in. It would have been a spectacular score.

Phil Hill returned to the match just before half-time just as Omagh scored their first try, to bring the half-time score to 05-28.

The start of the second half saw James Johnston replaced at hooker by Stephen Morton. Omagh began the second half with a series of attacks which ended with the home team recording their second try.

An Omagh prop was carried off with a neck injury, which was later proved to be a precautionary measure. Uncontested scrums became the order for the rest of the match. Alistair Redpath cut through for a try at the posts. Gareth Beggs came on for Captain James Morton and scored Armagh’s sixth and final try. This brought the score up to 10-42.

This result lends even greater interest to next Saturday’s home league match with Clogher Valley. This is the first home league fixture at the Palace Grounds. It has the added interest of being a tussle between last season’s League winners and last season’s winners of the Town’s Cup.