12th April 2008

Armagh progressed along the route to their cup treble on Saturday when they beat Ballymoney 39-08 at the Palace Grounds, scoring six tries in the process.

Next Friday evening at Ravenhill sees the Junior League Cup Final. It is to be played between Armagh and Clogher valley with a 7-30pm. Kick-off. With the recent form Armagh has demonstrating they must be taken as clear favourites to collect third trophy of the season. Admittedly Clogher Valley did win the league fixture in Fivemiletown 22-10 last November, but then Ballymoney also had a win to their credit in December. They never looked likely to pull out a win last Saturday. In both cases Armagh won the home league matches.

The much-talked about Armagh-Portadown re-match will not now come to pass to the great disappointment of many in both clubs.

The Armagh pack had much the better of things in the scrums. They showed their confidence by regularly going for push-over tries from anywhere near the opposition’s line. Even from opposition’s put-ins the home pack gained much possession. The line-outs were also very well controlled with Armagh making great use f their possession. Brian Bassett, Eddie Orr and Davy Martin were non-starters so Armagh’s strength in the line-out without them was striking.

The backs benefited from the speed of service from scrum-half, Ralph Mercer. All of the backs demonstrated a willingness to run with the ball at every opportunity.

A bright, sunny, afternoon with a light breeze suited the Armagh team well. The game started with winger, Stewart Lester following-up on a Ralph Mercer kick, only to be called back by the referee when a try looked a strong possibility.

Immediately Ballymoney were awarded a penalty from far out but the ball bounced off a post. Mercer made a break from well inside his own half, beat three defenders, and went on to score his first try in the left corner. The conversion was unsuccessful leaving the home side with a lead of 5-0.

A splendid forward drive from a line-out took the ball 50 metres up the field. Armagh were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Steenson kicked. He followed this up with a determined break from well inside his own half. His speed and sheer strength left three defenders behind and he scored a lovely try at the post. He converted this himself to put Armagh 15-03 ahead.

Within a couple of minutes Mercer picked up a ball from the base of a scrum and ran in his second try. Steenson converted o give Armagh a 22-03 lead at half-time.

After the break Ballymoney put in a period of very spirited play. In this period thy managed to score their only try of the game.

Sam Sheppard was brought on as a temporary injury replacement as Ali Redpath received attention. He made several good runs immediately he joined the game.

A certain scoring opportunity was wasted in the right corner when the Armagh backs knocked-on. Undeterred the Armagh pack scored a typical push-over try with captain, James Morton, getting the touch-down.

This pushed the score to 27-08. James Johnston was replaced at hooker by Steven Morton.

Johnny Steenson came off with a shoulder injury and centre Johnny Allen moved to take over at full-back. Sam Sheppard came on to fill in at centre.

In a very spirited chase for the line winger Irwin was late-tackled and injured. He was forced to leave the field and was replaced by Andy Winder who went in to scrum-half with Mercer moving out to the wing.

The fifth try was scored by prop, Brian Patterson, who took a pass from Chris Black and forced his way to touch down at the posts. Johnny Allen’s conversion bounced back off a post. He was available to convert the last try, however.

This was a spectacular 60 metre sprint down the right wing when Stewart Lester went on to touch down at the posts. This left the final score at 39-08. Incidentally, the season’s total adds up to 785 for and 251 against.