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Omagh U18s lose narrowly to league leaders
David Stewart8 Dec 2014 - 08:34
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Omagh suffered only their second defeat of the season after this narrow loss to league leaders Dromore
Omagh U18s 8 Dromore U18s 17
Omagh suffered only their second defeat of the season after this narrow loss to league leaders Dromore. This game was always going to be an indicator of the progress of this young side and they more than played their part in a match that was a great advertisement for rugby at this level. Omagh knew they needed to make a good start and did just that controlling the early stages. Ten minutes in they took the lead after Dromore infringed at the breakdown and Matthew Sweeney slotted the resultant penalty. It soon became obvious that this game would come down to fine margins as the two evenly matched sides traded blows. The visitors attempts to keep ball in hand to break through were contained by resolute defence with centres Trent Brown and Nathan Cummings rock solid. Dromore switched to kicking for territory but the Omagh back three of Eamom Orr, Leon Clarke and Alaister McFarland dealt with anything that came their way. The home team went back on the attack and after good carries by Mark Brown and Michael McColgan, set up camp in their opponents 22. Crucially Omagh could not find a way across the whitewash with James Rutledge being stopped short,and the half ended without further scoring.
With the elements now in their favour, Dromore were able to pin the home team in their own half. Attacks were repelled with Macualey Killen and Cameroon Clements to the fore. However the visitors pressure told, after a catch and drive from a lineout was stopped short, the ball was recycled to touch down in the corner. The conversion was missed. The Omagh team spirit came to the fore again as they refused to lie down. Aaron Heatherington and Jack O'Hanlon made good ground up the left to set up a base camp. The forwards went through the phases and Rutledge crashed over for a deserved score to regain the lead. However when cool heads were required the home team conceded a midfield penalty which Dromore kicked to the corner. Again the initial drive was repelled but the visitors once more found a gap to squeeze over to lead by two points. With the game in the balance the next score was vital and it went the way of the visitors as their centre exploited a missed tackle in midfield to break clear and touch down under the posts to seal the game. Omagh fought to the end and as an example of their never say die attitude Stewart Robinson pulled of a superb cover tackle to prevent the Dromore winger a certain try. Despite the loss Omagh can take enough positives from the game to take forward and build on.
Team; A.Heatherington, M.Hopton Brown, M.McColgan, S.Hamilton, J.O'Hanlon, C.Clements, M.Killen, J.Rutledge, S.Robinson, M.Sweeney, E.Orr, T.Brown, N.Cummings, L.Clarke, A.McFarland. Subs; F.Foley, M.Doherty.
Omagh suffered only their second defeat of the season after this narrow loss to league leaders Dromore. This game was always going to be an indicator of the progress of this young side and they more than played their part in a match that was a great advertisement for rugby at this level. Omagh knew they needed to make a good start and did just that controlling the early stages. Ten minutes in they took the lead after Dromore infringed at the breakdown and Matthew Sweeney slotted the resultant penalty. It soon became obvious that this game would come down to fine margins as the two evenly matched sides traded blows. The visitors attempts to keep ball in hand to break through were contained by resolute defence with centres Trent Brown and Nathan Cummings rock solid. Dromore switched to kicking for territory but the Omagh back three of Eamom Orr, Leon Clarke and Alaister McFarland dealt with anything that came their way. The home team went back on the attack and after good carries by Mark Brown and Michael McColgan, set up camp in their opponents 22. Crucially Omagh could not find a way across the whitewash with James Rutledge being stopped short,and the half ended without further scoring.
With the elements now in their favour, Dromore were able to pin the home team in their own half. Attacks were repelled with Macualey Killen and Cameroon Clements to the fore. However the visitors pressure told, after a catch and drive from a lineout was stopped short, the ball was recycled to touch down in the corner. The conversion was missed. The Omagh team spirit came to the fore again as they refused to lie down. Aaron Heatherington and Jack O'Hanlon made good ground up the left to set up a base camp. The forwards went through the phases and Rutledge crashed over for a deserved score to regain the lead. However when cool heads were required the home team conceded a midfield penalty which Dromore kicked to the corner. Again the initial drive was repelled but the visitors once more found a gap to squeeze over to lead by two points. With the game in the balance the next score was vital and it went the way of the visitors as their centre exploited a missed tackle in midfield to break clear and touch down under the posts to seal the game. Omagh fought to the end and as an example of their never say die attitude Stewart Robinson pulled of a superb cover tackle to prevent the Dromore winger a certain try. Despite the loss Omagh can take enough positives from the game to take forward and build on.
Team; A.Heatherington, M.Hopton Brown, M.McColgan, S.Hamilton, J.O'Hanlon, C.Clements, M.Killen, J.Rutledge, S.Robinson, M.Sweeney, E.Orr, T.Brown, N.Cummings, L.Clarke, A.McFarland. Subs; F.Foley, M.Doherty.
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