Storm decimates sport - but rugby goes on!

LOCAL sport was virtually wiped out last weekend - Storm Éowyn saw to that.

The Saturday Morning League called off all soccer games at 6pm on Friday due to the damage caused by the high winds - and a packed programme of hockey was also decimated.

Nevertheless, rugby did proceed at Waddell Park.

Indeed, it was a busy Saturday for Randalstown RFC, with the morning kicked off with a friendly between the club’s U16 team and Antrim Grammar Schools’ Medallion side.

The match proved to be a close fought affair providing lots of entertainment for the spectators.

The Grammar boys edged it in the end, winning 20-17.

A spokesperson for Randalstown said they were looking forward to many more matches in the future.

1st XV

In the afternoon Randalstown 1st XI hosted Cooke RFC, who are currently sitting in third place on Championship 1.

The visitors took the early initiative in the first ten minutes of the game but Randalstown’s strong defence withstood the pressure.

It was the home team who took the lead from an Eoin Letters penalty - leaving it 3-0 after fifteen minutes.

As the game moved into the second quarter it was Cooke who got the first try of the game to take a slender 3-5 lead.

As half time approached it was a second Eoin Letters penalty that gave the home side the lead 6-5 once more.

The second half was controlled by Randalstown with both forwards and backs coming close to scoring the decisive try.

However, it was the tenacious Cooke side who regained the lead with a penalty to edge two points ahead.

Randalstown pushed hard to find the winner - but to no avail.

Despite their best efforts the home team had to settle for a losing bonus point which helps them pull clear of the relegation zone.

Next week Randalstown get the chance to avenge this defeat when they have a home Cup game against Cooke.

3rd XV

Meanwhile, over on the second pitch, Randalstown 3rd XV welcomed local rivals Ballymena.

After a narrow loss to Academy the weekend before in the Cup, the home side wanted to get their 2025 league campaign off to a winning start.

Two tries and penalty saw them do just that, securing a well-earned 13-5 win.

* See pages 44 and 45 for pictures from the two big games.