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City of Armagh thirds made up for last week’s disappointing loss to league leaders Ballymoney, when they travelled and defeated Randalstown on Saturday leapfrogging the hosts to second place in the league.
Armagh started slowly and made several handling errors. They attacked the opposition line and played most of the first half in the Randalstown 22. A dogged opposition pack and strong defence kept them at bay.
Armagh didn’t take full advantage of the strong breeze at their backs and their only scores in the first half came from a Simon Cuttle penalty and tries from number 8 Christopher Wallace and Lock Paul Cully.
Although having a ‘stormer’ in attack and defence, full back Timmy McNeice was having an off day with the boot. Unfortunately just before the ‘half’, Randalstown were reduced to 14 men as they lost their number 8 with a nasty looking shoulder injury. Armagh lead 0-13 at half time.
Armagh changed their tactics at half time and played a tighter, more controlled game to start the second half. They were met by a strong, enthusiastic defence as Randalstown came out all guns blazing with the wind at their backs.
Armagh cut down the number of mistakes and were rewarded for their possession when Jason McMahon crashed through from 10 metres to score his first try of the season. McNeice again missed the conversion. Armagh continued to press, taking advantage and were further rewarded when Stan Hamilton fooled the defence and breezed in the corner.
This left Armagh 0-23 ahead. Randalstown, with the referees assistance, and their ‘never say die attitude’ attacked but Armagh’s defence held firm and a break away try from Wallace put the game out of their grasp. Armagh however saved the best for last when Cuttle cut through two tackles and a gap to score under the posts. He converted his own try to leave a final score of 0-35 to Armagh.
It was a resolute performance by a young Armagh side who picked themselves up after last week and are improving every week. Although he didn’t have his kicking boots with him, Timmy McNeice was outstanding, while Chistopher Wallace and Jonny Craig had some good carries. |
