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| Armagh 2nd XV (27) vs Ballyclare 2nd XV (07) |
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16th November 2009
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Despite the flooding which saw the 1st fifteen match being cancelled bright sunshine was the order of the day at the Palace Grounds and the home team started in the same fashion. Excellent scrumming saw them edge ever further up the pitch towards the Ballyclare 22.
But within a blink of an eye Ballyclare had been awarded a penalty and Armagh were on the back foot half way down the field.
Ballyclare took advantage of this extended passage of play and out pressure onto all aspects of the Armagh play. In the midst the visitors were awarded a penalty, but the kick was not able to be converted.
Long periods of play were frustrating for both the players and supporters as neither side could make any head way.
Play continued in this manner for the rest of the half apart from a superb run from James Faloon, eagerly supported by a very vocal home crowd.
The half time score stood at nil all, but this was definitely a game of 2 halves as Armagh emerged from their half time huddle a changed and energised team.
And early mistake from Ballyclare was capitalised on by Simon Cuttle as he kicked the first points of the day to make it 3-0 for the home side.
A quick turnover at the next scrum saw Armagh regain the ball but then lose it in the next movement. But with luck on his side Mark Allen grabbed the ball and scored just to the left of the posts. Cuttle lined up the ball and made the score 10-0.
After the restart some brilliant passing saw the ball come to the hands of Peter Lamb and his strength saw Armagh move up the pitch. This strong run gave Armagh the impetus needed to continue in the same vein.
But 2 penalty decisions against Armagh returned them back to the half way line. Ballyclare could not take the advantage and immediately gave away a soft penalty. Soft or not Cuttle stepped up and made the score a healthy 13-0.
But the restart was to be in Ballyclare's favour and they slowly progress to the 5m before the ball was pushed over the side line. The usually secure Armagh line-out was on form but an out ball was lost and Ballyclare ran over a try. Even with the tight angle their scrum half stepped up and made the conversion to give a healthy look to the Ballyclare scoreline at 13-07.
The rain had obviously made the ball slippy but this could not spoil the Armagh party and with some excellent recycling at the back of the ruck saw captain for the day Steven Morton go over for the second of the day.
Cuttle was in fine form and made his conversion look easy and took the score to 20-07.
Again the Armagh team made their way down to the Ballyclare 5m line and after another solid line-out ball the drive in ruck saw them over for the third of the match. The glory of the score went to import John Hammond and Cuttle had no problem in making the final score 27-07.
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