Omagh Accies RFC

Qualifying League Two
 
Bangor 10
Omagh 34
 
Omagh survived a second half scare to play some very attractive rugby and leave Co. Down with a bonus point in a well deserved 34-10 victory and maintain their challenge for league honours.
In commend with a 20-3 lead playing against the elements, Bangor rocked the Accies with firstly a breakaway try under the posts and then put together a fine passage of play to create the opportunity out wide only to see the winger knock on with the line at his mercy. This could have left the score 20-17 and a very interesting last 20 minutes.
The Co. Tyrone men seized their opportunity, cleared their lines and played the rest pf the game in the opposition 22, driving home their advantage with two late tries.
Saturday represented the proverbial game of two halves with a huge wind blowing straight down the pitch at Upritchard Park saw a vast contrast in styles with both sides playing intelligent rugby when against the wind, and utilising the breeze when behind them.
Omagh were well worth the points and will be relieved they picked up no injuries ahead of a mouth-watering encounter at home next Saturday against Ballyclare in the next round of the Towns’ Cup.
Bangor are a stern proposition at home with a big pack and experienced backline which they used to full effect in the earlier encounter before Christmas when they played smart rugby to seal the win.
Their experience was a factor early on as they took the game to Omagh, using the wind well and going through their phases of play. Sustained pressure yielded a penalty and a 3-0 lead.
Phil Marshall’s men weathered the early pressure and gradually started to exert their own pressure. They kept the ball tight punching it upfield in small busts before releasing the backs, who in turn looked useful and made good round all afternoon.
The first score came from the tried and trusted forwards with the pack flexing their muscles to score a pushover try from 8 metres out with Richard Smyth touching down.
From the resulting kickoff, Omagh fielded the ball, worked their way up the pitch and the backs hatched a move which saw Ryan o ‘ Neill show his pace to score out wide.
Bangor were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes after the full back was sent to the sin bin after taking Mervyn Edgar out as he raced to collect a deft chip over the dame player. From the resulting play, the Co. Tyrone men looked slick behind the scrum with Alistair Beckett offloading inside to the supporting Neil Browne for the rangy centre to score his sides’ third try and take a 15-3 lead in to half time.
Feeling they had done the hard work, Omagh slackened off in the opening 20 minutes of the second half allowing Bangor to gat right back in the game. They used their forwards to punch up the middle before bringing the backline into play.
The Accies scored the nest try though. The home winger chased back to field a long punt and attempted to make touch on the far side of their field. Steffan Hamilton, who had a fine game in the lineout with the front jumper the only viable option in windy conditions, fielded the ball, fed Stephen MacLaine and the pacy winder drew the cover to feed Browne who skipped over for his second try.
The Upritchard park men hit back with a breakaway try, crafted by their wily out half, Jason Morgan. He made the initial break, chipped over David ward at fullback, and though neither could field the ball, it bounced up into the hands of the supporting winger who dived over for a converted score.
Bangor suddenly got their tails up and crated a try scoring opportunity minutes later only for the winger to knock on with the line at his mercy. This was a massive point in the match which could have been much different in the last quarter had the opportunity been taken.
From the resulting scrum, Omagh played the territorial game punting it deep and chasing hard, meaning the home side would have to go the length of the field to score. Solid defence and a determination to see the match out saw Omagh repel any offensive moves and null any chances of a comeback.
Stephen MacLaine was rewarded for a solid game when he went over next following a neat move involving Beckett whose miss pass allowed Ward  to utilise a 2 on 1 situation out wide and send MacLaine over. Ward added the conversion on a tough day for placekickers.
Richard Smyth opened and closed the scoring with a fine individual score following a scrum 30 metres out. He was dragged down by the home openside flanker but not held so he carried on and beat the cover defence for a well taken effort. Ward added the conversion.
This was a strong showing and keeps up Omaghs’ good form, with no injuries a bonus for Accies captain, Mervyn Edgar and coach, Phil Marshall, ahead of the Towns Cup tie next week.
Team: David Ward, Ryan O’ Neill, Neil Browne, Stuart McCain, Stephen MacLaine, Alistair Beckett, Jamie Lagan, Stephen Rutledge, Stephen Giboney, Mark Smyth, Steffan Hamilton, Johnny Giboney, Mervyn Edgar ©, Colin Lee, Richard Smyth