29th October 2007

Armagh fielded a strong side against Cavan who finished 2nd last season after a playoff with Dungannon. With a blend of youth and experience, Armagh were able to absorb early pressure from a well drilled Cavan side. Armagh managed a couple of turnovers, Chapman and Hamilton made good ground in the centre to release Phil McAlister on the wing who beat his opposite number on the outside to score near the posts leaving Davy Nicholson who had returned from his cricket and marathon running exploits with a simple conversation.

It was noted that after Davy's long cricket season, he had lost none of his appetite for the game and he was the first to acknowledge that it was a good job he was no longer playing first XV rugby as the new tight fitting shirt he had to wear on Saturday was not particularly befitting to a man with his physique.

Hopefully whoever is in possession of the larger 3rd XV jerseys will come forward with them prior to our next game. Cavan continued to attack, but Armagh's pack were upto the challenge and when they turned over ball, Nicholson was able to clear his lines to give Armagh a good field position.

Armagh took the ensuing lineout against the head and attacked the Cavan defence.

The resulting scrum enabled Chris Wallace to pickup at the base and power his way over from all of 20 metres out, using his pace to beat the cover defence.

In the 2nd half, Armagh were now playing with the wind and they started strongly with both Richard and Andy Morton carrying the ball forward in the loose and they were closely supported by Brian Birch who was having a fine game.

Colin Cochrane was on hand on a number of occasions to link well and he was unlucky not to score on one occasion when he was held up over the line. Continued pressure from the Armagh pack saw Michael Henry cap a fine performance with a try following a catch and drive from a 5 metre lineout.

With about 1/2 an hour on the clock remaining, Michael was replaced by Con Oliver who immediately knocked holes in the Cavan defence with his strong running. Armagh continued to gain the upper hand and Neil Agnew punched holes in the Cavan midfield and the ever alert Peter Hazelton was able to exploit the blindside inside his own 22 and release Simon Beckett which resulted in a try for Simon Cuttle.

With Armagh now totally in control, Sam Wilson replaced Agnew and with his first tackle of the game he turned over the Cavan possession which resulted in a 2nd try for Phil McAlister. Conor McGarvey carried the ball strongly from a lineout and the ball was passed swiftly to Niall Chapman who had moved out to the wing for a rest and he defied his age to score in the corner from 25 metres out.

Davy Nicholson completed the Armagh scoring with a snap drop goal in front of the posts and this capped a fine overall team performance. This win now sees Armagh overtaking Cavan as league leaders.