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Portadown failed to raise a side last Saturday and this was The Dream Team's first match of the new season. Following a number of retirements in the summer and the unavailability of some players due to the world cup in France, Armagh fielded a new look side to the one that defeated Banbridge in the final of the Butler Shield last April.
Ian McCall was selected at inside centre, a position he hadn't played since his school days and Colin Cochrane filled in at outside centre. This centre pairing was to be the mainstay of the Armagh team in the absence of Chapman and Beckett.
Playing with the sun on their backs, The Dream Team started the first half strongly with their large and experienced pack disrupting Banbridge possession. Good rucking and mauling saw the Armagh side put together five phases before moving the ball wide for Jamie Robinson to outpace the cover defence and score his first try of the season.
Conor McGarvey was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt, but continued forward pressure opened up the Banbridge defence and Stanley Hamilton was on the end of a fine 60 yard move to score at the posts. Stanley had no problem with the conversation and this enabled Armagh to take a 12 point lead. Ferghal Mallon continued to pick out his lineout jumpers and both Henry and Speers provided good possession for Peter Hazelton to release his free running three quarters.
Ian McCall continued to make strong breaks up the middle, but unfortunately the final pass out of the tackle did not always go to hand. Good support play from McCall saw him denied a certain try when he failed to hold onto to a difficult pass from Richard Morton who had just made a twenty yard break for the line.
The forwards continued to play open rugby and when club stalwart, Sam Wilson came on shortly after half-time, the Armagh pack won their first scrum against the head. With all the forwards prominent in the loose, it wasn't long before quick hands created space out wide for Jamie Johnston to score a good try in the corner.
This was to be the last score of the game with the hot weather and the background music taking its toll on the players. It was difficult to single out a man of the match as all team members contributed to a fine win over a strong Banbridge XV. The result leaves the team unbeaten after the first 2 weeks of what should be an enjoyable season.
Lurgan provide next weeks opposition at home. |
