Malone secure the bragging rights in the Belfast derby game with Harlequins

Report compiled by George Millar

The opening 25 mins of this Belfast derby at Deramore Park between Belfast Harlequins and Malone belonged to the visitors from Gibson Park. With the forwards controlling possession the Malone backs were given every opportunity to express themselves with a couple of early opportunities squandered. The Malone supporters did not have long to wait. Scrum half Shane Kelly made a searing break into the opposition twenty two. Loose Head prop Dane Fitzpatrick was in support to race away and score a well deserved try with full back Mark O'Connor adding the points. Malone then secured the kick off with out half Callum Smith making another break. He off loaded to centre Michael Cartmill who passed to the supporting Captain Neil Alcorn. He was unable to hold on to the ball with another scoring opportunity missed.

Such was the dominance of the Malone team Quins back row and Captain Ollie Loughead was yellow carded for a late tackle on Callum Smith. Malone kicked to the Quins twenty two. A lineout move involving Neil Alcorn, Josh Davidson, Dan Kerr and Dane Fitzpatrick carried play to the Quins line with Hooker Dan Kerr claiming the try. O'Connor pushed his conversion narrowly wide to leave Malone leading 12 - 0.

Malone continued to dominate possession with two turnovers denying them further scores after good work by the backs.

In games like this a dominant team can become complacent in their play. Indiscipline creeps in and despite several warnings by referee Stuart Douglas the Malone team continued to give away penalties.

It was no surprise when Quins centre Christian Bennison breached the Malone cover to put winger Jordan McIIrath in at the right hand corner with out half Adam White adding an excellent touchline kick to narrow the Malone lead to 12 - 7.

Once again Malone should have added to their lead with another exciting passage of play involving Dave Cave, Callum Smith, Michael Shiells and David Irvine with James McAllister held up over the line. Malone then went on to lose the scrum for Quins to clear their lines.

To make matters worst for the Malone side the referee lost his patience with scrum half Shane Kelly and produced a yellow card. Connor Spence came off the bench to replace winger David Irvine and fill the scrum half position.

Watching Malone coach Paddy Armstrong was clearly annoyed by the attitude and indiscipline of his players that had allowed Quins back into the game. No further points were added to leave the half time score 12 - 7 in favour of Malone.

After a stern talking to by the Malone coach you would have expected a positive reaction by the players. The malaise and indiscipline continued from the first half with Malone penned into their half by a Quins team with a new found belief. Repeated penalty awards were kicked into the Malone twenty two by Quins full back Mark Glover. Malone had made several changes with Ben Halliday and Max Porter replacing Philip Eadie and Dave Cave in the forwards. Michael Barker replaced the injured David Irvine on the wing. Shortly afterwards they lost hooker Dan Kerr to injury to be replaced by Dave Cave. With the Malone scrum coming under pressure and Quins threatening to score, further changes were made with Ben Halliday going into hooker with Phil Eadie returning to the front row. These changes steadied the Malone scrum.

After withstanding 30 mins of Quins pressure it was the turn of Malone to steal a lineout. Prop Phil Eadie made a break with his fellow prop Dane Fitzpatrick in support. Centre Michael Cartmill carried on the play and despite the attention of several opposition players made twenty metres. He was able to stay on his feet and offload to winger Michael Barker to run in and score an excellent try. O'Connor struck the post with the conversion attempt as Malone increased their lead to 17 - 7. Within three minutes The Gibson Park side added the fourth and crucial bonus point try. From a penalty they kicked to touch in the Quins twenty two. The ball was secured as the forwards mauled their way to the Quins line for Captain Neil Alcorn to touch down.

Quins had emptied their bench and again were reduced to 14 players when Marc Logan was yellow carded. Peter Ireland then came on to replace the hard working Josh Davidson in the second row. The Deramore Park side never gave up and continued to press for a score. It was then the turn of Malone prop Dane Fitzpatrick to be then yellow carded. With the match three minutes into injury time Quins eventually got their reward when Captain Ollie Loughead scored their second try to leave the final score at 22 - 12 to Malone.

Malone Head coach Paddy Armstrong did not hide his frustration at the teams performance. For a match his team should have closed out in the first half they allowed Quins to hang in for 70 mins. He will also be concerned the penalty count against his team was 15 - 5.

With injuries ruling out Philip Lucas, Nathan Brown, Mark McCrea and the unavailable Cory Tipping, Jack Owens and Kieran Joyce, Malone extended their unbeaten run to four matches in the UBL.

The players to stand out in the Malone team were backs Callum Smith and Michael Cartmill with the Malone front five of Dane Fitzpatrick, Dan Kerr, Phil Eadie and two second rows James McAllister and Josh Davidson putting in big shifts. Captain Neil Alcorn and number 8 Michael Shiells were also prominent throughout the match.

With the top three sides Nenagh Ormond, Banbridge and Queens Uni all losing, Malone have moved level on points with leaders Nenagh Ormand on 32pts followed by Highfield and Banbridge on 31pts. Queens Uni are on 29pts with 6th place Blackrock on 25pts.

Malone won 24 - 18 at Blackrock on the 26.11.16 and face the Dublin side at Gibson Park this weekend. Blackrock recorded an impressive 25 - 20 win over league leaders Nenagh Ormond last Sat. They will once again prove difficult opponents this weekend. After this match the players will have a three week rest before they play Galway Corinthians at home on the 18.2.17. Can the players maintain their six match unbeaten run that started at Blackrock and includes two wins in the SONI Ulster Premiership.