Malone hold on for the win against Randalstown

Randalstown kicked off and applied good early pressure and earned themselves a line out 10 yards from Malone’s goal line. Fierce driving led Adam McBurney over the try line giving Randalstown the lead within the first few minutes. Malone were quick to react and a few minutes later found themselves with a penalty in a good position which was taken well by Mark Widdowson cutting Randalstown’s early lead to two points.

The game found its rhythm from here on in with both sides finding themselves with decent attacks but unable to find a way through each other’s ranks. It was turning into a very physical encounter with both sides showing no quarter and delivering some often-ferocious tackles. With around 10 minutes to go in the first half the game paused while a Malone player received treatment for a particularly bad injury. The game recommenced with both sides still battling for every inch.

Randalstown found themselves a man down with around five minutes remaining of the half for what was deemed as dangerous play. Malone seized the initiative and Josh Ferguson scored just seconds before the half time whistle.

Half Time Malone – 8 Randalstown – 5.

Malone kicked off the second half and there was a feeling that Randalstown wouldn’t be capable of holding off their opponents attacks after going a man down. This feeling seemed fulfilled when Widdowson scored within the first few minutes. He converted himself to make it 15 – 5. Randalstown never gave in though and dogged persistence found John Carson over the try line reducing Malone’s lead to 5.

The extra man was starting to show and on the 10 minute mark Gareth Burns scored to make Malone’s lead seemingly unassailable. This plucky Randalstown side still wouldn’t let their head’s drop and kept pushing. For the next 20 minutes or so it looked as though Malone were the team with a man down as Randalstown pushed to find their way back into the contest. Their efforts were rewarded with 5 minutes to go when Nathan Stoner somehow barged his way through Malone’s defences. The conversion was taken well by Conor Murray and Randalstown were now pushing for the win.

The last 5 minutes were tense, Malone seemed rattled and Randalstown were fired up for the possibility of an upset. They continued to push but this time there was no way through and Malone held out to win the match 20 –17. Malone fullback Chris Halliday picked up man of the match for his solid performance.

Photos by courtesy of Intouch rugby/Tony Hendron