Omagh Accies vs UUC

ON a day when the result far outweighed the performance Omagh Accies secured another useful set of Qualifying League Two points, at the expense of University of Ulster Coleraine, at the wintry Thomas Mellon Playing Fields on Saturday.

In a game dictated by the elements it was Omagh, who showed the greater resolve to edge over the line and, having outscored the students two tries to nil, the Accies celebrated another league success that is sure to boost confidence levels further in the coming weeks.

Driving wind and rain made for an error-strewn encounter, but Omagh’s determination to secure victory was highlighted in a ten-minute period towards the end of the opening half, as Coleraine laid siege to the Accies line. Calum Rowden, captain Dave Orr, Alan Whitcroft and Michael Dunleavy led their challenge, but despite camping near the try line, they were unable to breach a disciplined Accies rearguard in which Colin Lee, Mervyn Edgar and Andy Armstrong excelled.

Lee in particular epitomised Omagh’s efforts because having sustained a serious facial injury that required stitches, he returned to fray to steer the hosts over the line to the delight of the home support.

The Students enjoyed wind advantage first and, they immediately set out their stall with the impressive Whitcroft floating over a penalty to show the Accies that indiscipline would be fatal. However, that 10th minute score proved to be the visitor’s only scoring contribution to the game, as Omagh gradually forced their style of play on proceedings.

The Omagh lineouts were working a treat and as they adapted a catch and drive mentality UUC tried to counter act by opting to focus on stopping the anticipated drives. It proved costly because it was from such a mistake that Omagh pounced to score the opening try of the afternoon on 20 minutes, when a Mark McDonald drive was stopped short at the UUC 22. UUC were trying to defend against the drive when Omagh flicked the ball out for Edgar to make his way over for an unconverted score.

It was a good try as Omagh showed their versatility by switching the point of attack to outfox the Students before they showed their defensive capabilities to withstand a concerted period of UUC pressure in the closing stages of the half. Omagh taking a 5-3 lead into the break and with the advantage of the strengthening wind to aid them on the resumption, UUC were set for an uphill battle.

Both teams struggled to produce any meaningful rugby in a very disjointed second half as mistakes and poor handling skills dominated proceedings before Omagh crossed the visiting try line again on 60 minutes. The Accies launched a strong attack and having secured position inside the UUC 22, they moved the ball out to Colin Gibson, who darted through to score. Gibson converted for a 12-3 lead.

Neither team added to their tally again, but Omagh’s determination to clinch victory was evident with Lee returning to the fray sporting a bandage. The game may not have been a spectacle with repeated turnovers, but for Omagh the two points at the final whistle were at that mattered. The focus of attention now switches to the visit of Donaghadee this weekend.

Omagh – Keith Givens, Andy Armstrong, Neil Browne, Ross Moore, Andy McFarland, Colin Gibson, Lee Murphy, Stephen Rutledge, Stephen Giboney, Marc Smyth, Jonny Giboney (c), Mervyn Edgar, Mark McDonald, Josiah Witworth, Colin Lee.

UUC – Jamie Ball, Calum Rowden, Andrew Winder, Dave Orr (c), Sam Hall, Alan Whitcroft, Jonathan Brown, Jamie Wilkinson, Richard McNeely, James Blair, Michael Dunleavy, John Lutton, Aaron Doherty, John Dillon, Rory Clifford.

Referee – Michael Pickles

Geoff Gillis