{"id":109676,"date":"2015-08-17T10:23:27","date_gmt":"2015-08-17T09:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/?p=109676"},"modified":"2024-06-24T09:38:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T08:38:00","slug":"tournament-report-randalstown-15s-it-was-a-busy-day-at-neillsbrook-on-satuday-opening-with-the-annual-15-a-side-tournament-and-finishing-up-with-a-beer-and-ale-tasting-hosted-by-the-local-hillsto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/tournament-report-randalstown-15s-it-was-a-busy-day-at-neillsbrook-on-satuday-opening-with-the-annual-15-a-side-tournament-and-finishing-up-with-a-beer-and-ale-tasting-hosted-by-the-local-hillsto\/","title":{"rendered":"Tournament report Randalstown 15s….. It was a busy day at Neillsbrook on Satuday opening with the annual 15-a-side tournament and finishing up with a Beer and Ale tasting hosted by the local Hillstown Brewery."},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a busy day at Neillsbrook on Satuday opening with the annual 15-a-side tournament and finishing up with a Beer and Ale tasting hosted by the local Hillstown Brewery.<\/p>\n

The main business of the day commenced sharp at 1 pm with hosts Randalstown kicking off against Larne on pitch 1 while Carrick and Coleraine locked horns on pitch 2.<\/p>\n

The results were:<\/p>\n

Section 1:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section 2:<\/p>\n

Randalstown 10\u00a0\u00a0 Larne\u00a0\u00a0 5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carrick 0\u00a0\u00a0 Coleraine 7<\/p>\n

QUB\u00a0 26\u00a0\u00a0 Ophir\u00a0 0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ballymoney 0\u00a0\u00a0 Coleraine 33<\/p>\n

Randalstown 3\u00a0\u00a0 QUB\u00a0 5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carrick 15\u00a0\u00a0 Ballymoney 5<\/p>\n

Larne 34\u00a0\u00a0 Ophir 0<\/p>\n

Randalstown 24\u00a0\u00a0 Ophir 7<\/p>\n

The semi-finals were then played between Randalstown and Coleraine and QUB and Carrick.<\/p>\n

Randalstown defeated Coleraine 15-0 while QUB went through against Carrick and so the hosts were through to the final \u2013 an excellent achievement.<\/p>\n

The pool games were keenly contested with some good scoring in the 25 minutes allotted.\u00a0 \u2018Town got off to a bit of an inauspicious start when the ball when straight into touch from the kick off, but they quickly made amends with a powerful scrummage against the head and gained possession and a penalty opportunity for their endeavours.\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately the kick rebounded off the crossbar but \u2018Town were still deep in Larne territory and within inches of the line.\u00a0 David Smith and hooker Stevenson went within a hair\u2019s breadth but Larne defended well and cleared with a long kick ahead.\u00a0 Waiting to gather on the wing was young Chris Donnelly and he gathered, turned and sprinted in from halfway to give \u2018Town the lead.\u00a0 It was shortlived as Larne struck back with an unconverted try of their own to level it before half time.<\/p>\n

The deciding score in the second half came from Goodrich to secure victory.\u00a0 Again some very competent scrummaging from \u2018Town laid the foundations and when the ball came to the backline Goodrich had the strength and determination to barge over.<\/p>\n

Next up for Randalstown were Queens and they had looked very useful in their previous game against Ophir, with a pacey backline showing very slick handling skills.\u00a0\u00a0 It was nip and tuck for the entire 25 minutes, \u2018Town edging a narrow lead courtesy of a Conor Murray penalty.\u00a0 Queens started the second half very well and \u2018Town were forced to defend on their own line for a considerable time.\u00a0 Most of the spectators thought McBurney and Murray had worked hard enough to clear, but amidst some confusion Queens were awarded a try.\u00a0 The last five minutes saw most of the action in Queens territory and \u2018town were unlucky not to seal another win.\u00a0 Donnelly went close but was well tackled and a couple of errant passes allowed Queens to hold firm and come away with the win.<\/p>\n

When \u2018Town took the pitch against Ophir the line up was much rejigged and it was pleasing to see Daryl McGarry in action again after a long period of injury last season.\u00a0\u00a0 He made an immediate impact as he ran onto a ball at pace and scooted in out wide.\u00a0 Murray added the tricky conversion.\u00a0 Some nice work by Strange, Michael Smith and McBurney\u00a0 should have reaped further reward but a pass was intercepted by Ophir and the momentum was stalled.<\/p>\n

Undetered \u2018Town regrouped and regathered possession, then Goodrich, who was having a very lively afternoon in the centre, picked up a loose ball and ran in below the posts.<\/p>\n

A momentary lapse in concentration let Ophir back into the game with a converted try.\u00a0 \u2018Town weren\u2019t finished however and Foster broke up the middle barging his way past several Ophir defenders before offloading to Dee Millar.\u00a0 Millar is an athletic second row and made more good yards setting Michael Smith up with a lovely offload for a try \u2013 again under the posts which Murray converted.\u00a0\u00a0 Murray then scored a fine try out wide to round it off.<\/p>\n

It was onward and upward to the semi-finals, and the hosts as runners up in their group took on Coleraine, winners of group 2.\u00a0\u00a0 In recent seasons Randalstown have enjoyed a measure of success against Coleraine and again to the delight of the growing crowd they maintained that record with a hard fought 15-0 win.<\/p>\n

As had been a notable factor all afternoon \u2018town\u2019s scrum was operating beautifully and they took one against the head in the early encounters to put a stamp on proceedings.\u00a0 It was a war of attrition in the middle of the park as both teams put a huge effort particularly in defence.\u00a0 Coleraine had an early opportunity to put three points on the board but it went wide.\u00a0 From the restart \u2018town were up quickly to disrupt Coleraine\u2019s rhythm and cause their number 7 to fluff a pass.\u00a0\u00a0 Donnelly sprinted on to the ball and showed Coleraine a clean pair of heels with another fine try from long range.<\/p>\n

More of the same followed in the second half with intense play but \u2018Town were looking like the better side, and were rewarded with a penalty for their endeavours, which Connolly converted.\u00a0 In a final flourish McGarry was cynically taken out late at Coleraine attempted to break down the attack but Donnelly was alert to the chance and again had the pace to race in out wide.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In a repeat of the pool game Randalstown faced Queens in the final .\u00a0 Had they enough gas left in the tank at this stage to edge out the students?\u00a0 Unfortunately it was just a match too far for the hosts on this occasion but as the 7-0 scoreline suggests it was another tight and entertaining encounter.\u00a0 Nevertheless Queens were worthy winners as they played some very slick running rugby throughout the afternoon.<\/p>\n

\"66\"<\/p>\n

Thanks to all the teams who took part and despite the odd downpour ensured the crowd had a very enjoyable afternoon of rugby.\u00a0\u00a0 Thanks also to the referees who officiated efficiently throughout, and of course to the Randalstown back room men who worked hard in preparation to ensure that pitches and clubhouse were in fine condition for the season opener.<\/p>\n

The coaching team at Randalstown have to be very pleased with the overall performance of their charges, several of whom are only in their second season of senior rugby and have only limited experience at first fifteen level.\u00a0\u00a0 They certainly did not look out of place and it is virtually impossible to single out any individual such was the performance level turned in by each and every Randalstown player.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a pleasure to watch and hopefully bodes well for what will be a long hard season for all 3 senior teams.<\/p>\n

The firsts have a friendly against Portadown next Saturday at Neillsbrook and then they travel to Lisburn on 29th<\/sup> August for the league opener.<\/p>\n

Following on from the success of the afternoon, Chairman Adie Johnston welcomed everyone later in the clubhouse for the Beer & Ale Tasting evening.\u00a0 He had a small bit of business,\u00a0 marking last season\u2019s success,\u00a0 to attend to as he presented 2nd<\/sup> XV captain Sammy Hyndman with the Ulster Branch League Winners Plaque.\"777\"<\/p>\n

Then came the eagerly awaiting beer tasting as\u00a0 Hillstown Brewery arrived with their prizewinning craft beers to give the by now very thirsty patrons in Randalstown an insight into something a little bit different.\u00a0 Hillstown of course are a very locally based company, situation between Randalstown and Ahoghill,\u00a0 and are already well known for their high quality beef products and the on site restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0 4 beer\/ale types were sampled and the favourite seemed to be the \u2018Spitting Lama\u2019.\u00a0 It was interesting to hear the story behind the production of these craft beers, and a very different experience for many to taste them.<\/p>\n

Hillstown can be found on the usual media \u2013 facebook, twitter and check out www.hillstownbrewery.com for yourselves.<\/p>\n

\"klk\"<\/p>\n

Chairman Adie Johnston(left), event organiser John curry (3rd<\/sup> from left) with the guys from Hillstown Brewery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It was a busy day at Neillsbrook on Satuday opening with the annual 15-a-side tournament and finishing up with a Beer and Ale tasting hosted by the local Hillstown Brewery. The main business of the day commenced sharp at 1 pm with hosts Randalstown kicking off against Larne on pitch 1 while Carrick and Coleraine […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,677],"tags":[5220,14869,17155,17254,4702,5001],"class_list":["post-109676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-clubs","category-randalstown","tag-15s","tag-brewery","tag-hillstown","tag-randalstown","tag-report","tag-tournament"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109676"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":683686,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109676\/revisions\/683686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}