Malone secure a bonus point win on the road against Armagh RFC

ULSTER BANK ALL IRELAND LEAGUE: DIV 2A

Report courtesy of George Millar

Malone 34 City of Armagh 18
It was clear after the opening minutes both these teams wanted to move the ball around and take advantage of the excellent playing surface at the Palace Grounds. Once Malone made the first break through after 3 minutes there was only going to be one winner in this match. A slick handling movement off the back of a lineout saw prop Peter Cooper carry into the Armagh defence. The ball was moved between the hands of out half Callum Smith and centre Josh Pentland for his centre partner Nathan Brown to step around his opposite number and race in from 20 yards for the first try converted by winger Rory Campbell to give his team an early 7 – 0 lead. Second row Michael Shiels secured the kick off and along with prop Ben Halliday and Callum Smith forced Armagh to concede a penalty which Rory Campbell converted for Malone to lead 10 – 0 after 7 minutes. The visitors dominated the set scrum with the front row of Ben Halliaday, Dan Kerr and Peter Cooper in the ascendancy. It was all Malone as the home side struggled to get their hands on the ball. A Rory Campbell intercept almost led to another try involving Josh Pentland, Michael Cartmill, Dan Kerr, Callum Smith and Jack Owens as the referee blew up for a forward pass.
It took Armagh 15 minutes to gain field position in the Malone half. With the referee not tolerating players off their feet or coming in from the side at the breakdown Armagh won a penalty that their out half Cormac Fox converted to reduce the Malone lead to 10 – 3. The Malone response was emphatic with Nathan Brown being held up over the line. Despite the best efforts of the Malone team the City of Armagh defence held firm under the constant siege. When Armagh were forced to carry over the Malone scrum went into overdrive driving their opponents back and collapsing the scrum. The referee was left with no alternative but to award a penalty try to increase their lead to 17 – 3. Armagh came back at Malone with their back row forwards Robert Whitten, Neil Faloon and Stuart Hooks making no impression on the Malone defence.
Winger Michael Cartmill chased a kick ahead to force a turnover. Good handling by Callum Smith and Josh Pentland put full back Jack Owens away to score his teams third try converted by Campbell to increase the Malone lead to 24 – 3 after 25 minutes. Armagh were not giving up and forced a lineout five metres from the Malone line. Communications broke down in the Malone lineout with hooker Dan Kerr watching his throw sail over the lineout into the hands of Armagh back row Stuart Hooks who was left with the simple task of touching down for his teams first try. Fox was unable to add the conversion to reduce the Malone lead to 24 – 8 with 30 minutes played.
Again Malone dominated the final 10 minutes with Nathan Brown held up and Malone conceding a penalty at the scrum to allow Armagh to clear their lines. Another opportunity involving Smith, Brown, Owens and Pentland was missed as Malone could and should have closed out this game before halftime to leave no further scoring.
We were all aware how Armagh had overturned a substantial Queens Uni lead at halftime to win at home. Malone made a change in the front row with Lee Barlow replacing Ben Halliday and Graham Curtis replacing scrum half Connor Spence. As expected the home side with their dangerous three quarters exerted early pressure with Cormac Fox converting a penalty to narrow the Malone lead to 24 – 11 two minutes into the second half. The third quarter was going to be a case of Malone holding their shape and defence to deny and frustrate the best efforts of the Armagh players. Back row Dave Cave was replaced a couple of minutes into the second half by the returning Ryan Clarke after a big shift in the back row. Any loose kicking by Malone only invited the Armagh backs to attack out wide. The game changed dramatically at the end of the third quarter as Malone full back Jack Owens intercepted on the halfway line to out pace the Armagh cover to touch down for the all important bonus point try with Campbell converting to extend the Malone lead to 31 – 11 after 60 minutes. Malone Head coach Paddy Armstrong replaced Graham Curtis with Connor Spence as the Malone team looked to close out the game. Armagh were penalised for coming in at the side at the breakdown with Campbell making it six from six to increase the Malone lead to 34 – 11 with 15 minutes left.
Malone made a number of changes with the experienced Neil Alcorn coming into the back row. Andy Bryans came on to the wing with Josh Pentland leaving the pitch and Michael Cartmill re establishing his partnership with Nathan Brown in the centre. The hard working James McAllister was replaced in second row by Lee Barlow with Ben Halliday restored to the front row. Credit to Armagh they kept searching for further scores. Andy Bryans was yellow carded as Armagh took advantage to score a try through centre John Faloon converted by Fox to reduce the Malone lead to 34 – 18 with the game on the blow. For the final few minutes Malone were camped on the Armagh line and only for a knock on would have score a 5th try as the referee blew his whistle to end a very exciting contest between two good footballing teams.
Armagh may have been missing their influential Captain and centre Chris Colvin but this Malone team had benefited from a training session under the guidance of Chris Henry on Thursday night to extend their lead at the top of Div 2A to 7 points with five games remaining.

There was an intensity in the work rate from every one of the Malone players in this victory over City of Armagh. The front row of Ben Halliday, Dan Kerr and Peter Cooper were outstanding along with replacement prop Lee Barlow who made a big impact in the second half both in the front row and second row. The two second rows of James McAllister and Michael Shiels were the unsung heroes as they worked tirelessly in set piece and loose. In the lineout they had to compete against the Armagh jumpers Josh McKinley and Robert Whitten who challenged them throughout the match. The back row of Dave Cave, Captain Ross Todd and number 8 Joe Dunleavy were outstanding as they tackled and carried all afternoon with replacements Ryan Clarke and Neil Alcorn using all their experience to close the game out in the final 20 minutes.

Connor Spence at scrum half probably put in one of his best displays in the 9 jersey as he dictated the play in an impressive partnership with out half Callum Smith. Centres Nathan Brown and Josh Pentland have established a very strong partnership with the three quarters of Rory Campbell, Michael Cartmill and full back Jack Owens threatening every time they had possession.
The replacements made a valuable contribution with young scrum half Graham Curtis gaining valuable experience for the second week running. The Malone game is based on ball retention and possession to deny the opposition any opportunities to control the ball. Malone executed that very well in denying Armagh the possession they strived for without success throughout the game.

My MOM would have to go to Callum Smith. His handling and kicking out of hand denied Armagh any territory at vital stages of the game. This was Callum Smith playing at his vintage best. Well done guys with five games left to play.

Malone team: 1. Ben Halliday, 2. Danny Kerr, 3. Peter Cooper, 4. James McAllister, 5. Michael Shiels, 6. Dave Cave, 7. Ross Todd (Captain), 8. Joe Dunleavy, 9. Connor Spence, 10. Callum Smith, 11. Michael Cartmill, 12. Nathan Brown, 13. Josh Pentland, 14. Rory Campbell, 15. Jack Owens, 16. Lee Barlow, 17. Ryan Clarke, 18. Neil Alcorn, 19. Graham Curtis, 20. Andy Bryans.

City of Armagh: 1. Simon Carlisle, 2. Jonathan Morton, 3. Daryl Morton, 4. Josh McKinley, 5. James Hanna, 6. Robert Whitten, 7. Stuart Hooks, 8. Neil Faloon, 9. Harry Doyle, 10. Cormac Fox, 11. Robbie Faloon, 12. Johnny Pollock, 13. John Faloon, 14. Ryan Purvis, 15. Timmy McNeice, 16. Andrew Smyth, 17. Paul Mullan, 18. Peter Starrett, 19. Andrew Willis, 20. Evin Crummie.

As former 1st xv Captain Neil Alcorn said to me at the end of the game “ We have won nothing yet”. It is having voices of experience like Neil’s that will be essential in steering the squad through the next five remaining games. They include two games against Blackrock College and Galwegians who are fighting for every point to retain their place in Div 2A and Munster sides Highfield, Nenagh Ormond and Cashel who sit 2nd,3rd and 4th as they pursue Malone in the remaining UBL matches. The 1st xv have next weekend off before they resume UBL action on 17th February.

17. 2. 18 v Blackrock College Home
3.3.18 v Galwegians Away
24 .3. 18 v Cashel Home
7.4.18 v Highfield Away
14.4.18 v Nenagh Ormond Home

There is one remaining match in the Ulster Premiership Div 1 with Malone playing City of Armagh at home on Saturday the 10th March. City of Armagh are the current holders of the Stevenson Shield.

Much focus will be on the current 1st xv squad in the remaining weeks of the season. What I noticed at Armagh yesterday was the presence of several 2nd xv players who will be pushing for a place on the 1st xv before the end of the season. They want to be part of the run in. That is the healthy competition coaches Paddy Armstrong, Josh Pentland and Mark Taylor will be looking for from the extended squad. The seconds under Davy Heron, Sam McBurney and Harry McMurtry continue their second xv programme when they travel to play Omagh seconds away next Saturday.

What is the injury situation amongst the 1st xv squad. We have Shane Kelly, Josh Davidson, Phil Lucas and Chris Griffiths ruled out for the remainder of the season. Players injured last season who are on the road to recovery include Ben McDonnell and Gary Crawford who are expected to be available for the new season.

We send our congratulations to Matt Dalton to played for the Ireland under 20s v France last Friday night in their 34 – 24 defeat.

Lets make the clubs 125th Anniversary season very special. The squad need your vocal support. Please make every effort to get along and support the team.
O