10th December 2007

Armagh returned to their winning ways on Saturday when they defeated Enniskillen 29-0 at The Palace Grounds in the Junior Cup first round pool. Indeed, they scored 4 tries in the process. The odd situation in this competition now means that Armagh have only one more game in their pool.

This pool was originally formed with 5 teams. Two of these clubs, Academy and Ards, pulled out so Armagh, Enniskillen and Harlequins 2nd XV remain in the pool. Armagh’s next game is arranged for 15th March in Belfast – a date which coincides with the English Six-Nations international in Twickenham.

In reality, Armagh’s chances of retaining the Qualifying League are pretty slim, although a finish in the top four would result in a place in the AIB All-Ireland Cup next season. So cup success is now the club plan and Saturday’s result is all the more welcome. There is one league matche scheduled for this week, however, away to Dromore on Friday 14th evening, 8:00pm kick-off.

For the Enniskillen game Johnny Allen was brought back into the centre, with Peter Elliot moving out to the wing. Brian Bassett returned to the second row where he made a welcome contribution.

The weather, while not pleasant, was not so important a factor as had been the case in Ballymoney the previous week. The rain was not continuous and the wind was not as powerful, and to some extent, it was diagonal.

Indeed it was a great credit to the hard work of the ground staff that the game was played at all.

Most other sporting fixtures were postponed throughout the province due to the heavy rain which had fallen around lunch-time. The river between the Palace and the pitches had swollen and was visited twice during the game by River Authority workers.

Enniskillen began the game with the wind behind them but all the early attacks came from the home side. A line-out take gave Johnny Steenson a good run through the middle but a penalty saved the day foe Enniskillen.

Eddie Orr and Brian Bassett were involved in a good forward break which gained great ground. Armagh were awarded a penalty at the posts for off-side but elected to take the scrum. This did not have the required result but when another penalty was awarded to Armagh in the same spot Johnny Steenson stepped up to kick the points to 03-0.

The visitors missed a penalty before Armagh struck back as Johnny Allen made a typical break and fed the ball to Chris Black who sold a neat dummy then scored a try at the posts. Johnny Steenson kicked the easy conversion to bring the score to bring the score to 10-0. A tapped penalty gave Davy Martin a run-in at the posts and another easy conversion.

This gave Armagh a half time score 17-0 ahead.

The second half started off with Chris Black making a try-saving tackle and Enniskillen continued to apply the pressure by attacking down their right wing.

This was stopped and Armagh retaliated immediately only to end when a forward pass let the visiting side off a certain try.

The Armagh line-out and drive was working very well, so a penalty kicked down to the left corner paid off with a try from Ally Birch.

A difficult conversion was put over by Steenson, who had re-gained his devastating kicking form, to put the home side ahead by 24-0.

Armagh were now firmly in the driving seat and their forward mauls were devastating the Enniskillen side and it was no surprise when Steenson was seen to cut through to finish the scoring at 29-0 with a beautiful try.

The Armagh pack had another great day, with the line-out proving especially productive. One of the unique features of this team is the variety of line-out jumpers which it offers, so the opposition can find themselves confused.

Their scrummaging and forward mauls in the loose were also worthy of a mention. The backs must be eagerly awaiting improved weather conditions so they can take on defences and make use of their speed and handling skills to better effect.