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| Armagh XV (49) vs Dromore XV (13) |
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08th December 2009
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Challenging weather conditions did nothing to dampen the impressive run that Armagh have been on. Even with superb attacks from an equally impressive Dromore team, the local side held tightly to their title of best defensive record this season in the league, having only conceded 45 points in the league so far.
From the start Armagh applied their usual brand of forward pressure, and despite sterling defence from Dromore, Armagh inched their way up the field. A penalty decision in favour of the home side and Adam Gowing has his first attempt at the posts. A clean shot and the deadline was broken with three points to Armagh.
After the restart the game seemed to follow the attacking play of Dromore and a penalty decision on their run saw the score level at three a piece. But their next penalty shot was not to be and Armagh realised that they were making too many mistakes in a usually flawless game plane. Luckily the Dromore kicker could not capitalise and the score remained 3 all.
A good run and follow up run from Johnny Steenson saw the play back down in the Dromore 22, but a high tackle from a Dromore player saw the first yellow card of the match. With the visitors down to 14 Gowing stopped up to take the penalty kick and duly made it 06-03.
But Dromore continued their attack on the Armagh defence and breached it with a score in the corner. The angle was not as tight as it looked from the sidelines and the score line was healthy 06-10 in the favour of the County Down men.
Armagh, however, did not start on the back foot and made slow but steady progress up the field. On the 5m line an indiscretion from the Dromore number 8 saw the first yellow card of the game. An easy option would have been to collect the three points but Armagh decided to play the numbers advantage and tenacious scrum half Matthew Wright skilfully took the ball over the line. Gowing stepped up to get the other two points on offer and made the score 13-10.
At the death of the first half Armagh again found themselves deep within the Dromore 22 and with a penalty in their favour. Gowing kicked it well to leave to half time score at 16-10.
The second half started again with Armagh applying pressure to every area of the Dromore game. A skilful passage of ball handling and understanding between team mates saw Armagh score and Gowing convert on the angle to make it 23-10.
But from the restart Armagh made more mistakes and allowed Dromore to get another chance at the post after 2 penalty decisions in a row. This time the post did not aid the Dromore kicker and the score crept up to 23-13.
This seemed to be the jolt that Armagh needed and began to play a much more opened ended game. Then with a brilliant run up the line by Johnny Steenson, followed by an inside pass to Eddie Irwin who ran over for his first of the match. Gowing made took the kick and made it the total 7 points to take it to 30-13.
Armagh began again with a fantastic chip and chase to allow the sped and dynamics of Johnny Allen to go over for the fourth try and securing the bonus point. Again Gowing placed the kick sweetly over the posts to make it 37-13.
Against the strength of the Dromore pack, Armagh showed brilliance in their forward play and with a fortuitous steal from Matthew Wright, Andy Hughes was able to touch the ball down for the fifth of the match, but Gowing could not make it and the score went to 42-13.
Armagh then showed the crowd that despite the weather this team could play in any conditions with some excellent crossfield play involving all the players.
The final score of the game came again from the chip and chase method and Irwin went over for his second. With Gowing substituted it fell to Manu to step up to the tee and give Armagh 49-13 as a final score.
Armagh next travel to City of Derry on Saturday and know that this game will be one of their toughest challenges. Derry will obviously be looking to revenge themselves and reverse the score line of earlier in the season. This match could also prove to be interesting to the impartial spectators as these are the only 2 Ulster sides also left in the AIB All Ireland Cup. |
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