Omagh 1 vs Lisburn 1

Qualifying League Two
 
Omagh 39
Lisburn 13
 
Omagh Accies retuned to winning ways with a convincing bonus point victory over Lisburn, a team that has proved very difficult opponents in recent years. The five pointer was all the more pleasing for the home side as it was based on the efforts of a pack that were dominated last week, and the other was the fact that they spent more of the game with 14 players.
An unfortunate shoulder injury suffered by Neil Browne, one of the most improved and influential players for Omagh this year ruled the young centre out, and we hope he has a speedy recovery.
“The boys responded very well today. We were well beaten up front last week but worked hard in training and responded well”, revealed Accies captain, Jonny Giboney. “I am happy with the way we responded to the loss of Neil We had to reorganise our defence, play smart and did not let our heads drop”, he added.
Coach Phil Marshall laid down the challenge to his pack and they responded in the most positive fashion, dominating in every facet up front, and building a platform for the backs to utilise space and use the clean ball provided all afternoon. This showed the character and resilience being developed by a young side which is maturing very nicely.
The home side opened the scoring with an early try by fullback Andy Armstrong following pressure by the home side. A well executed move saw him slice through for the score. The conversion was missed.
Lisburn responded with a penalty soon after as the sides tested each other out in a cagy opening period. The injury to Browne after 20 minutes spurred the Accies on and they responded to the loss of the influential centre by scoring two quick tries.
Colin Lee’s pressure led to a missed pass with the ball loose. Lee kicked through and won the race to the line to touch down for a fine individual score. His back row colleague, Richard Smyth was not to be outdone, when he burst through the home defence from the 22 and crossed in style with a couple of defenders hanging off him. Both conversion attempts were missed though Stefan Hamilton made amends with a penalty before half time to leave the Accies 18- 3 ahead at the break.
Lisburn took the game to Omagh in the opening exchanges of the second half and asked a few questions of the 14 men, and though they probed strongly, the home defence was well arranged never looking like breaking.
Weathering the pressure, Omagh began to take the upper hand and turn the screw p front. The pack sucked in a few defenders before the backline were released and after a good handling move, Armstrong was worked in on the overlap and he registered his second try of the afternoon. Hamilton added the conversion.
Alistair Beckett was the next on the score sheet, touching down after a fine solo break as he continues to grow into the No. 10 shirt; he is quickly making his own. He managed the game well from start to finish and used the ball intelligently. Hamilton added the conversion and was again on target with his next kick which followed Stephen Giboney's try from close in as the pack flexed their muscles.
In total control with a couple of strikes against the head, and in total control out of touch, the pack laid a strong foundation for Omagh to win the game. They did concede a late try to end the game on a disappointing note, though they will be delighted with their first bonus point win of the season, though it is marred by the loss of Brown, most probably for the rest of the season.
Beckett continues to impress at out half, Ryan O’ Neill made a solid debut on the wing with a couple of nice runs, though the pack deserve credit for a strong overall hardworking performance as a unit.
Team: Stephen Rutledge, Stephen Giboney, Mark Smyth, Stefan Hamilton, Jonny Giboney, Mervyn Edgar, Richard Smyth, Colin Lee, Alistair Ferguson, Alistair Beckett, Ryan O’ Neill, Stuart McCain, Neil Browne, Andy McFarland, Andy Armstrong