Everything was set for an exciting game at Stevenson Park, it was cold but dry with little wind and although the light was poor there was no threat of rain. The game lived up to all expectations with the teams matching each other virtually score for score although Dungannon did eke out a four point gap 13 – 9 at one stage. Then at the end after Lansdowne had levelled the scores Dungannon attacked again, the Lansdowne defence held, but up stepped Saint Paddy to have the final say with a nerveless drop goal that gave Dungannon the three point win. A captivating game that could have gone either way with Dungannon the more deserving of the points for the quality of their attacking play.
129 picture slideshow from the game – CLICK HERE –
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It was nip and tuck for the first quarter with out halves Paddy Jackson and Eoghan Hickey swapping penalties. Dungannon almost scored but Craig Gilroy lost the ball in a great tackle two metres short of the line
3 – 3
A Hickey penalty on thirty-four minutes gave Lansdowne a half time lead. A dull first half, not a bit of it. Both teams attacked and counter attacked but the defences held firm.
3 – 6
Shortly after taking the lead Lansdowne had their best move of the half when they created space out wide but Dungannon’s covering wing, Chris Cochrane, had spotted the potential danger and was there to touch the ball down
The second half was barely a minute old when Conor Gaston took play deep into the Lansdowne half causing considerable panic on the way. When he was finally stopped Glen Sinnamon was on hand to feed Ali Birch who made ground before Ryan Caldwell took the ball into contact and Gannon were awarded a penalty. A Lansdowne player was binned for slowing down the ball. Paddy Jackson levelled the scores from the resultant penalty.
6 – 6
A great piece of opportunism by Glen Telford was ruined when the well orchestrated Lansdowne Coaching Choral influenced the decision of the match officials. Instead of a potential try scoring move by Telford and Cochrane we were treated to a super strike by Eoghan Hickey to give Lansdowne a three point advantage after forty-four minutes
9 – 6
Gannon went on the offensive from the restart. Conor Gaston sent Ali Birch off on a charge that brought Gannon up to the twenty-two, then following thrusts from Sinnamon and Caldwell space was created and the Dungannon captain Paul Magee was exactly the right man to take advantage as he ran through for the score. A fitting birthday present for the twenty-four year old. Paddy Jackson converted on forty-six minutes.
13 – 9
On forty-nine minutes Referee Colgan awarded Lansdowne a penalty that Eoghan Hickey put between the posts with a fine kick from the ten metre line.
13 – 12
Minutes later to our surprise Hickey missed a penalty; admittedly a difficult kick but he had been striking the ball well all day. Paul Magee then intercepted and Glen Telford carried on the move only to be stopped by a thumping tackle. Dungannon then played some great rugby putting Lansdowne under pressure before Lansdowne came back with their own onslaught. Gannon forced them back and a Jason Bloomfield tackle kept the pressure on Lansdowne as they tried to break away. Michael Rainey held on to a great lineout take in spectacular fashion before Lansdowne attacked again and won a penalty when Gannon were adjudged guilty of not releasing the tackled player. Eoghan Hickey converted to put Lansdowne into the lead again on sixty-five minutes.
13 – 15
Gannon attacked again and Paddy Jackson was just under the bar with a long range strike before he landed a magnificent touch kick following an enterprising run by Craig Gilroy. The Lansdowne lineout had functioned very well for over an hour before this ensuing lineout five metres from their line. Tom Sexton’s throw missed his man. Standing in no mans land in the middle of the lineout Mark Farquhar’s reactions would not have disgraced Chris Cochrane as he caught the ball and charged untouched the six metres to the line. If there had been a roof over Stevenson Park it would have been raised by the Faithful. Dungannon were back in the lead after seventy-one minutes.
18 – 15
Everyone knew that this game was far from finished and back came Lansdowne. Turnover ball was cleared with a great boot from Bloomfield that brought play to the Lansdowne ten metre line. They attacked again and won a penalty on seventy-nine minutes. Eoghan struck it well but thankfully it went just right of the posts. The Dungannon Faithful breathed again. From the restart twenty-two Lansdowne won a penalty for a high tackle. On the eighty minutes Hickey struck a great penalty from the ten metre line to level the scores.
18 – 18
The frustration of it all, all that hard work for two points, but they were a hard won two points. Thankfully Fitzy has instilled a good work ethic coupled with resilience into this squad and Dungannon attacked from the restart. A magnificent break from Jackson looked as though it might bring about the fairytale ending, but unfortunately Paddy was tackled in the Lansdowne twenty-two. Dungannon went through a couple of phases but the Dubliner’s defence held. Then the boys went for Plan B and Jason Bloomfield whipped the ball out for Saint Paddy to calmly drop kick the ball between the posts in the second minute of injury time. Referee Colgan blew the final whistle and the Faithful cheered a memorable and deserved win.
21 – 18
This was a tight game and one that showed the determination of both sides to win. The Dungannon supporters can be justifiably proud of their boys who did not accept anything less than a win. This was a good Lansdowne side that played their part in a great game but Dungannon’s willingness to attack kept Lansdowne under pressure and eventually the tries came.
A good game, a great win and four league points.
Team: Conor Gaston. Christopher Cochrane, Paul Magee Capt, Glen Telford, Craig Gilroy. Paddy Jackson, Jason Bloomfield. Glen Sinnamon (Ben Howard), Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar. Michael Rainey, Ryan Caldwell. Ali Birch, Callum Threlfall, Stuart McKenzie (Mark Riddell). Philip Whyte, Michael Kirkwood, Stuart Lester.
Referee: Leo Colgan (Munster)
Scorers:-
Tries: Paul Magee & Mark Farquhar
Cons: Paddy Jackson
Pen: Paddy Jackson (2)
Drop Goal: Paddy Jackson
Dunagnnon v Rainey OB:
An entertaining game with a num,ber of players making their debut not only for both teams but their first game of rugby. The sprot is growing and the more development teams like this the better. Good skills on and Dungannon took the victory.
We managed to get some pictures which you can view here
57 picture slideshow from the game, – CLICK HERE –
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This Week’s Fixtures
Wednesday 17 November 2010
II XV entertain Academy in the Kukri Conference League, this is our first home game in this League having already met Clogher Valley and Portadown. Kick off 7.45 p.m.
Saturday 20 November 2010
Dungannon I & II XVs travel to play their Ards counterparts in the Ulster Senior League and the 2 XV League. The II XV game kicks off at 1.00 p.m. and the senior game at 2.30 p.m.
The III XV entertain Larne II in the Junior League. Kick off 2.30 p.m.
The IV XV is away to Ophir IIs in the Junior League. The IVs have requested a 2.00 p.m. kick off, please refer later in the week for confirmation.
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Youth Rugby
Monday 15 November 2010
Youth Rugby training session commences at 7.00 p.m.
Anyone under 13, 15, 17 and 19 on 1 January 2011 should report for training at Stevenson Park ready for action at 7.00 p.m.
Mini Rugby
Saturday 20 November 2010
The visit to Portadown has been cancelled so this Saturday there will be training commencing at 9.45 a.m. sharp.
The training session will end at approximately 11.30 a.m. and players will be available for pick up at that time
