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City of Armagh Thirds XV made it two from two in the Junior League when they travelled to Lurgan on Saturday to play the hosts’ Second string, in blustery and showery conditions.
A strong Lurgan team encamped themselves in the Armagh half with the strong breeze to assist them. Applying heavy pressure, Lurgan took the lead after ten minutes with a penalty. From the restart, Armagh made a bit of headway in to the opposition half only to end up back in their own 22 after more mistakes.
The Lurgan out half converted another penalty to make it 06-0. The Armagh pack, welcoming back Gary Hanson from a five year break, took the play to Lurgan and after some fine rucking, Andy George ran in for a try on the stroke of half time. The conversion was missed and Armagh went in 06-05 down.
Lurgan’s half time team talk lifted them and from the restart, they made their way up the pitch only to come to come away with another penalty. This spurred the Armagh men on and after sixty minutes, some fine running Stan Hamilton chipped through and Matty Allen chased and collected and put Hamilton through under the posts.
Knipe converted and Armagh had the lead. Lurgan again ventured into the Armagh half but where met by a strong defence. With five minutes remaining Mark Mackey made a strong break and after some neat hands, Paddy Simms scored in the corner.
The conversion was missed. The youthful Armagh side took their foot of the pedal and with 2 minutes left, Lurgan’s strong out half scored and converted. From the kick off, Lurgan mad a couple of breaks for the Armagh line but the away side were saved by the final whistle and came away 16-17 winners.
Having dominated in the scrum and defended well, Armagh did well against a strong Lurgan side but no they will have to improve against the stronger sides in this league |
