Randalstown get the ball rolling for new season
Thursday, 11 September 2008
RANDALSTOWN Rugby Club finished their pre-season fixtures with a slender victory over Coleraine at the weekend in final preparation for their league opener this Saturday.
The 1st XV defeated a strong Coleraine 2nd XV side in a thrilling 8-7 friendly away match to the Bannsiders on Friday (September 5) despite dominating possession.
The rare outing under lights at Coleraine will have given the local rugby club some much-needed confidence for when they start the season away to Ballyshannon this coming Saturday.
The first 20 minutes saw some good Randalstown possession, but they were unable to convert this into points as the blustery conditions and the physicality of the opposition made scoring difficult.
Against the run of play Coleraine broke away and were able to run in under the posts leaving an easy conversion for the home side and left the score 7-0.
Gradually Randalstown were able to take control and for the next 20 minutes pinned the home side in their own 22 with the forwards dominating the set pieces and providing some useful possession for the backline.
Out-half French was in fine form making light of the conditions and keeping his back-line moving at every opportunity.
All credit to the home defence as they kept the Randalstown boys at bay despite several breaks by winger Chris Gamble and sustained pressure from the Randalstown pack as they recycled the ball time after time.
Finally a good steal at the line-out saw Ricky Loughlin secure possession on the ground and some excellent support from Neil Foster almost resulted in a try for the number eight who had one of his best games in a Randalstown shirt.
He was held up inches away but managed to off-load to scrum half Alex Park who managed to breach the Coleraine line and claim the try.
French was unable to convert, however, leaving the score 7-5 to the home side.
In the third quarter Randalstown continued to dominate, again without return, a failing they will look to rectify during the season.
Coleraine had few opportunities and on the rare occasion they broke the Randalstown line, flankers Dan Wilson and Sammy Hyndman were always on hand to prevent any further progress.
Into the last 20 minutes Randalstown's superior fitness was evident and they finished strongly again pinning Coleraine back in their own 22 and eventually being awarded a penalty that French duly converted taking the score to 8-7.
Overall this was an impressive and entertaining performance from the travelling Randalstown side. A great team effort and some individual performances worthy of mention from centre William Montgomery, number eight Neil Foster and the ever reliable Ryan Keating in the front row.
The coaches hope the team can take this form into the league campaign but they will need to start turning pressure into points if they are to make an impact this season.
The firsts travel to Ballyshannon this Saturday (September 13) while the Second XV entertain Ophir at Neillsbrook,
The club barbecue has been rescheduled to September, 27 with tickets on sale in the clubhouse.
