|
|
| Clogher 2nd XV (0) vs Armagh 2nd XV (23) |
|
25th January 2010
|
| |
Armagh seconds travelled to Fivemiletown on Saturday to play Clogher Valley 2s in an important league game. The Armagh side showed 5 changes to the team from the previous week and hopes were high that an improved performance would follow.
The match kicked off in foggy conditions with the Armagh forwards taking the game into the Clogher 22. Clogher conceded two penalties which were both converted from an acute angle by Simon Cuttle to give Armagh an early 0-06 lead.
Both forwards and backs were fired up for this game and good interpassing from Robert Dodds and Stuart Lester brought play into the Clogher 22 where a last ditch tackle prevented a certain try. Armagh struggled to win clean lineout ball and were made to work hard in the scrums and the loose by a combative Clogher set of forwards.
However on 30 minutes, pressure on the opposition 10 metre line resulted in Jeffrey Allen bursting through to sprint 30 metres under the posts for a well deserved try. This was converted by cuttle to give Armagh a 0-13 half time lead. Dermot Costello’s knee injury resulted in him having to leave the field at the start of the second half.
With the halfbacks of Knipe and Cuttle working well and Shilliday and Steven Morton solid in the centre, the ball was moved at every opportunity. Lester opened up the Clogher defence only to be brought down deep in the opposition 22 receiving a bang to the knee in the process. Shortly after, a penalty was awarded to Armagh in front of the Clogher posts.
This was converted by Cuttle to push Armagh’s lead to 0-16.
The Clogher forwards and backs then combined to bring play up to the Armagh line. After repelling several pick and drives the Armagh forwards stole possession and cleared the ball downfield. With 5 minutes remaining Cuttle combined with Richard Shilliday for the latter to cut through outside Clogher’s 22 and score under the posts.
Cuttle converted to leave the final score at 0-23 to Armagh and his own personal tally at 13 points. This was a welcome return to form for the seconds with both forwards and backs linking well in open play creating some exciting running rugby.
The challenge now is to maintain this momentum in the coming weeks and to climb up the league table. |
|
