League leaders Armagh rolled into Coleraine in midweek intent on stretching their advantage at the top of the table but under the Sandel Lodge lights, they came up short, conceding 5 tries to a home XV that is currently playing some great rugby.
A large and appreciative crowd witnessed a contest that was a fine advertisement for Qualifying League rugby, in Ulster, with both sides giving their all in a fast paced game that was played throughout, in an excellent spirit.
Coleraine carried the game to Armagh, from the first whistle and were rewarded with an unconverted try within 5 minutes when, having pitched camp close to the visitor’s goal line, a series of close range thrusts culminated in Bernard Mullan forcing his way over. 5-0.
It was simply confirmation to player coach Andy Hughes that his team were not about to be given an easy ride and on the restart Armagh quickly regained possession before attempting to stretch the home defence using characteristic rapid recycling and sharp handling. This season, however, a feature of Coleraine’s improved performances has been the quality of defending and here, once again, the opposition could find no way through.
To make matters worse for the visitors, Coleraine, having absorbed the pressure, struck again, in the 18th minute.
The opportunity came when Armagh lost control of the ball at the tackle point and a fine clearance by Brian Cochrane brought play from one 22 to the other. Good work at the lineout meant that the home side regained possession and a sharp break by Stuart Simpson set up the position from which the pack repeated its earlier exploits, this time Leslie George proving to be unstoppable. Chris Barber added the extra points. 12-0.
Visibly stung by this second reverse, Armagh upped the tempo of their play even further and as the half wore on, the visitors had a virtual monopoly of possession. Coleraine continued to defend resolutely with everyone playing their part but the pressure exerted by the visitors eventually told in the 30th minute when out half, Gowing’s clever kick caught the home defence flat-footed and centre Atkinson raced over between the posts for a try, converted by Steenson. 12-7.
Moments earlier, only a superb double tackle, which had forced Armagh left wing Willis out of play, within the Coleraine dead-ball area, had averted a try and with the momentum clearly now shifted to the boys from the Orchard County, Coleraine conceded a second try shortly after the restart. This time it was the quick thinking of Gowing’s half back partner, Irwin ,that did the damage, the scrum half spotting an open door between the pillars at a breakdown and scooting 40 metres to touchdown beside the posts.Steenson’s conversion was a formality. 12-14.
There was no further scoring before half time but at this stage of the game there now appeared to be only one likely winner. That perception was strengthened when within 8 minutes of the resumption, Steenson kicked a penalty to extend Armagh’s lead to 5 points.
In all probability, what happened next is due in some part to the intensity of Armagh’s current programme, which sees them engaged on several fronts, but, whatever the reason, the home team, roared on by an increasingly vociferous crowd, dominated the proceedings and plundered 3 further tries to comfortably secure an unexpected bonus point.
Neil Patterson started the ball rolling with a 60th minute try which did have an element of good fortune about it. There was, however, nothing fortuitous about the build up to the score, Coleraine retaining possession and making yardage through several phases before adding width to the attack on the visitor’s 22. An attempted tackle disrupted the flow of the movement, but the ball bounced sideways into the path of the centre and he ran in between the posts for Barber to convert. 19-17.
Six minutes later, Steven Dickey picked at the base of a scrum just inside Coleraine territory and charged down the left-hand touchline before linking with Alex Gourley. Play quickly switched to the other side of the pitch and when the ball emerged once more on the Coleraine side, Simpson set off on a wonderful darting run, shrugging off or wrong footing half a dozen would-be tacklers on his way to the line. Once again Barber converted. 26-17.
Intent on at least taking a losing bonus point home with them, Armagh attempted to narrow the gap and laid siege to the home line. Time and again it seemed the visitors had to score but the magnificent home defence held firm eventually forcing a penalty for “holding on” after 77minutes. Adam Parke’s touchline find carried play to halfway. An infringement by the league leaders at the subsequent lineout provided Coleraine with an attacking platform on the 22 and in a re-run of the first two tries the Coleraine forwards engineered a 5th try, credited to the inspirational Jarlath Carey. Barber’s conversion completed the scoring and moments later referee Michael Black’s whistle signalled the end of an enthralling contest.
Coleraine: Cochrane.B.; Henderson.J., Barber.C., Patterson.N., Irwin.N.; Parke.A., Simpson.S.; Carey.J., Ferguson.D., George. L.; Bogle.P., Hunt.W.; Montgomery.N., Dickey.S. Mullan.B.
Subs; Jefferson. S. (for Carey) Gourley.A. (for Montgomery)
