THERE was late drama at the Palace Grounds on Saturday as Armagh snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Suttonians in the All-Ireland League in the fourth minute of injury time.
This wasn’t a vintage performance from Armagh – far from it in fact – but they turned things around in the second half after a disappointing display in the opening 40 minutes.
The match got off to a frantic start with both sides attacking into either 22 in the opening minute.
But it was the visitors who took the lead after just two minutes when Armagh were penalised at the ruck in their 22.
And Adam Griggs stepped up to slot over a simple three points.
Armagh were level five minutes later but they frustrated at not going over for a try.
James Morton made a storming run to take play all the way up Suttonians’ line and with a try looking inevitable, hooker Adrian Hoary killed the ball.
He was duly dispatched to the sin bin for a professional foul while Johnny Steenson kicked over the simple penalty in front of the sticks.
Back came the visitors and they punished Armagh for a poor clearance kick on 13 minutes.
Suttonians won good line-out ball in Armagh’s 22 and drove to the line only to be held up.
But from the five-metre scrum the ball was moved along the backs and Alan Dodds went over.
And with Griggs adding the extra points, Suttonians led 10-3.
On 21 minutes Steenson made a good break, delayed the pass to Morton slightly but his final delivery was just forward.
But things got worse for Armagh on 29 minutes when Suttonians extended their lead.
Once again the pack drove to the line following a line-out from a penalty, the ball came out to the backs and full-back Dave Farrell squeezed in at the corner.
This time Griggs failed with the kick as the conversion fell just short.
Armagh were given a real let off four minutes later when Suttonians were able to work an overlap but the final pass from Dodds to Dave O’Neill was called forward.
Into first half injury time and Armagh were able to reduce the deficit as another powerful break from James Morton won a penalty that Steenson slotted over.
The second half got off to a great start for Armagh as they scored a try within four minutes of the restart.
A break by Matthew Irwin won Armagh a penalty, the ball was kicked towards the corner and Armagh showed some great patience as they started to go through the phases.
Eventually the ball was whipped left and Richard Reaney backed himself as he broke the tackle and stretched over for the try.
Surprisingly Steenson missed the conversion but regardless, Armagh were right back in the game.
Steenson had another chance to reduce the arrears on 49 minutes but he was wide with a penalty attempt.
The hosts then had a bit of luck on 55 minutes when they were penalised for hands in the ruck. But Armagh breathed a sigh of relief as Griggs was also wide with his kick.
Back came Suottonians and they looked to have won the game on the hour mark when they scored their third try of the afternoon.
The pack spent an age in Armagh’s bottom left corner and showed some great discipline with constant pick and drives to the line.
And eventually they were able to crash over with openside Philly Dwane emerging from the bottom of the pile with the ball.
Crucially for the visitors Griggs missed with the conversion.
Steenson was doing his best to get Armagh back into the game and an impressive break of 30 metres from the full-back brought play into the Suttonians 22. But Armagh knocked the ball on at the breakdown and the chance was gone.
However Armagh were right back in contention on 66 minutes when the ball was moved out and Irwin put skipper Phil Hill through on the overlap.
Steenson’s conversion came back off the post leaving Armagh in search of a try to take the lead.
And for the remaining 14 minutes, Armagh tried their best but found Suttonians hard to break down.
That was until four minutes into injury time when scrum-half Harry Doyle squeezed through the narrowest of gaps to make a break of 25 metres.
And Doyle showed some great composure with just the full-back to beat, he drew Farrell before passing to James McBriar who raced in for the game winner.
McBriar converted his own try and immediately the final whistle blew as Armagh breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Armagh: Johnny Steenson, Matthew Irwin, Colin Atkinson, Richard Reaney, Josh Morton, James McBriar, Harry Doyle, John Purdy, Ansrew Smyth, Philip Fletcher, Phil Hill, James Morton, Peter Elliott, Nathan Riddell, Neil Faloon.
Subs: Simon Carlisle, James Johnston, Andrew Willis, John Faloon, Steven Morton.
Suttonians: Dave Farrell, Daire Higgins, Alan Dodds, Alex O’Driscoll, Dave O’Neill, Adam Griggs, Dave Traynor, Garrett Connolly, Adrian Horay, Mark Amerlynck, Ian Whittington, Aidan Kearney, Seamus Cantilon, Philly Dwane, Richard Delaney.
Subs: Michael Cully, Andrew Hegarty, Stephen Merson, Peter Zerafa, Lewis Hamilton.
Referee: Peter Roche.
