U16's outmuscled at Randalstown

The Ulster Carpets Youth League started with an away trip up the motorway to Randalstown. A few key players were missing due to other commitments and two "very" last minute cry offs meant a major re-jigging of the forwards to ensure that we could cope with the traditional "bulk" of our country opposition. Matters were further not helped by the referee not showing up, and so we had to use an associate from Randalstown.
Both teams started with eagerly, but it quickly became apparent that Randalstown were going to try and keep the ball with their forwards for as much as possible as they were a strong tight unit. Sloppy defending allowed Randalstown to put the first points on the board after 15 minutes, when their No.8 powered over the Malone line from a ruck ~10metres out. Conversion good and it was 7-0. Another 10 minutes of play centred around the middle of the pitch with tight play from both sides and neither really wanting to put the ball out wide. Again poor rucking allowed the Randalstown pack to start to dominate up front and the pressure showed when they mauled over for a second, unconverted try. Score at HT was 12-0.
The second half started with a bit more promise from Malone, the pack started to defend more strongly at the breakdown and put in some good counter rucking, but two great chances were squandered by the last pass being forward.
Randalstown, seeing that Malone were starting to finally negate their forward strength, started opening the ball out wider with several clever kick and chase balls from their no. 12 to continually put Conor our full back under pressure, and this eventually allowed them to put their winger in for a converted try. Score 19-0.
Malone then lost their scrum half, Gairiad to a nasty looking elbow injury which as a precaution required a trip to the hospital. Glenn moved from flank to cover. The final ten minutes saw Malone put significant pressure on Randalstown and we practically camped in their 22, but again several chances were squandered when the midfield kept cutting back inside and getting caught instead of using our clear overlap. A penalty for Randalstown for not releasing in the last minute saw them kick a high ball downfield, which although seemingly covered by our full back, he tried to run out of our 22 instead of kick, and was caught and turned over with Randalstown getting their fourth try in the corner.
Final score 24-0 - a very poor opening day at the office and lots to work on at training before our next game at home to another big country team, Letterkenny on the 3rd October. Thankfully Gairaid was found to have only soft issue damage, so will only be out for a few weeks and we wish him a speedy recovery.