It was a quick trot over from the hockey pitch to the rugby pitch at the Royal School Armagh on Saturday morning as the 1st XV entertained Limerick’s Crescent College who had made a three day trip to Belfast and Armagh.
By the time I got over the match was mid way through the first half with Armagh leading 7 – 0 thanks to a Niall Conn try and a Josh Lowey conversion.
However as I arrived it was Crescent that were applying all the pressure with Armagh defending resolutely but struggling to get out of their own half.
It looked as though Armagh had weathered the storm as they kicked clear after five minutes of intense pressure but the kick was returned with interest by Crescent fullback Fionn Rowsome who’s offload send winger Sam Jordan clear for a try. Evan Cusack added the conversion to tie the game at 7 – 7 after 25 minutes.
Crescent continued to apply pressure but a break out by Armagh ended with Thomas Dougan crossing out wide to take the score to 15 – 7 to Armagh as the teams changed ends.
It was all Armagh in the second half. Zakir Majid crossed out wide after five minutes to push the score to 20 – 7 but it took them another 10 minutes to score again as Crescent continued to put in some big tackles.
Harry Dougan was next to score sliding over midway between the posts and the left touch after a period of pressure in the Crescent 22 and with Lowey adding the extras the score rattled along to 24 – 7.
Seven minutes later Armagh’s Cameron Cummings got his reward for several enterprising breaks with a bustling run from deep which took the game to 29 – 7.
Both teams looked to create more chances in an enjoyable game but the game ended when a Crescent attack broke down, leaving Armagh deserved winners.
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