31st December 2007

Armagh finished off a good year by defeating Limavady by 50-0 in the Qualifying League match at the Palace Grounds last Saturday. Since the score comprised 8 tries the bonus point was easily achieved. Indeed the opinion could be made that 8 tries ought to be rewarded with a second bonus point.

However, Armagh are quite content to be moving back up the league table. Indeed to finish in a top four position seemed lost in November but with four wins behind and The Past Player’s Cup in the trophy cabinet a renewed confidence is evident in the ranks.

The emphasis for the next few weeks is on various cup matches. The first is on Saturday next when Navan are the visitors to The Palace Grounds to compete for the AIB All-Ireland Junior Cup. Supporters should note that the kick-off is at 2-00pm. The following week sees another home game against Banbridge second’s in the Towns Cup.

The weather on Saturday made a very welcome recovery from the storms leaving the afternoon dry with only a slight breeze. Despite the overnight rain the pitch was in perfect condition, as it has remained recently with so many clubs having been forced to postpone games.

So everything was in Armagh’s favour. While not all injuries have cleared up replacements have been fitting in well.

It was probably a relief for Brian Bassett to get back into the second row after a very creditable performance at prop against Dungannon last week!

Limavady kicked-off with the breeze at their backs and pinned Armagh in their own half for some time. The visitors had the opportunity to open the scoring when they were awarded a penalty but the kick went wide.

Good three-quarter passing sent Johnny Allen off down the left wing but his pass inside to supporting Johnny Steenson was deemed to be forward. From the ensuing scrum Limavady cleared but Armagh took good line-out possession and went across field for Joe Clarke to score the first of his two tries. The conversion went wide but Armagh were now 5-0 up and counting!

Andy Winder made a very good break down the right wing from the base of a scrum. He ended up with no support and was forced to kick ahead which Limavady were just able to touch down over their line.

James Morton got a try at the posts after a prolonged period of home pressure. This time Steenson’s conversion was accurate to put the score at 12-0. Stuart Lester suffered a pulled ham-string and was replaced by Adam Gowing on the right wing. Armagh made some good ground from a line out and sent Joe Clarke over for his second try. The half-time score was 17-0.

A different type of try gained the crucial bonus point when Alistair Redpath took a pass at pace and cut his way clean through the defence to score at the posts to score a memorable try. Armagh did not relax even at 24-0 Brian Bassett charged down a clearance kick to get good position and good passing resulted in Adam Gowing scoring in the right corner. This brought the score to 29-0.

Armagh’s other replacement; Andrew Morton came on for prop, Brian Patterson. He soon was awarded a try when he went over after some good line-out play.

Steenson’s conversion brought the score to 36-0.

Scrum-half Andy Winder sent Peter Elliot in for a fine try which was converted.

Skipper, James Morton finished off proceedings with his second try and the successful conversion on the final whistle gave Armagh an excellent 50-0 victory.

This was one of the days when everything worked perfectly for the home side. The scrums were first class and any scrum near to the Limavady line spelt a possible push-over. The variation of pick-up by Eddie Orr and quick heel to scrum-half Winder must have had the opposition confused.

Line-outs were, as usual, a splendid source of possession, and the backs benefited greatly. Winder’s quick deliveries provided the backs with many opportunities and they certainly responded. The only surprising matter was that the two Johnnies, Allen and Steenson, in spite of all their non-stop efforts did not get tries themselves.

The game demonstrated again what a well balanced side Armagh are, with tries liable to come from forwards and backs. This makes matters confusing for the opposition. In Dungannon in the cup match it was the backs who scored the tries, and on Saturday it was the forwards 5 tries and backs 3.