Ulster Bank League
The visitors, Dungannon made the early running at Kilballyowen Park with a converted try in the second minute against Bruff. During the course of the abrasive encounter the Limerick men regained the lead on two occasions before Dungannon added ten points in the final ten minutes to seal the issue sending the travelling support away happy.
Dungannon’s early try came as a result of a whirlwind start. A penalty allowed Michael Lawton to make ground before an excellent lineout take saw Kieran Campbell send play down the narrow side. The irrepressible James McMahon took the final pass and burst though from twenty metres. Lawton converted and the visitors were off to a perfect start.
0 – 7
Good runs from Rowan Halsall and Jaryd Bennett further tested the home defence before a Garry Leonard punt cleared the danger. Then on eight minutes Brian Cahill landed a superb penalty to close the gap.
3 – 7
More Dungannon running saw Chris Cochrane go close to the posts. Alas, his offload bounced off a Dungannon chest and the chance was lost. The turnover allowed Brendan Deady to clear the danger and then there was to be a rare penalty miss from tee man, Cahill. Dungannon retorted with a drive led by Glen Sinnamon before a penalty allowed the lively Bruff pack to embark on a notable drive. On twenty-two minutes loose head prop, Stephen Foster was driven over for Cahill to convert for a first time lead.
10 – 7
Undeterred, Dungannon hit back but a final pass from Mark Jenkinson to Adam Duhig was deemed forward. That said, Dungannon remained on the front foot before a Bruff lock received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. The Dungannon offensive continued and when Christopher Cochrane was hemmed in at the touchline it was James McMahon who came to the rescue. He stormed away breaking four tackles on a twenty metre run as he completed his brace on thirty-two minutes. The score remained unchanged until half-time.
10 – 12
As the second half got underway determined Bruff took advantage of a Dungannon ‘knock on’ to drive play over the line. They were held up and from the ensuing five metre scrum winger, Mark Cosgrave was denied at the corner flag. Uneasy moments for the visitors but Dungannon did well to drive the Limerick men back and once into the Bruff half Michael Lawton extended the lead with a penalty after fifty minutes. Cahill cancelled that out in similar fashion five minutes later.
13 – 15
Going into the final quarter Cahill struck again to give the home side a one point lead.
16 – 15
Dungannon then took a tip from the Bruff book and an excellent forward drive saw the ball released for Chris Cochrane to dive over after seventy minutes. Michael Lawton converted.
16 – 22
Dungannon then moved forward in search of the bonus point try but had to be content with a Lawton penalty that merely sealed a deserved win and denied the home side a losing bonus.
16 – 25
This win now puts Dungannon in third place six points behind leaders Belfast Harlequins.
Next Saturday we play the postponed game against Galwegians. This is a must win game that could put us into a firm second place.
Team: Conor Gaston. Michael Lawton, Paul McKenzie, Glen Telford, Christopher Cochrane. Jaryd Bennett, Kieran Campbell. Glen Sinnamon, Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar. Timothy Smith, Mark Jenkinson. Callum Threlfall, Rowan Halsall, James McMahon. Paul Jackson, Philip Whyte, Ben Howard, Ali Birch, Mark O’Shea.
Referee: Olly Hodges
Tries: James McMahon (2) & Chris Cochrane.
Conversions: Michael Lawton (2)
Penalties: Michael Lawton (2)
