I caught up with the senior friendly between Dromore High and The Royal School Armagh on Saturday morning at Barban Hill. It was a cool and misty morning though it didn’t take long for things to warm up on the pitch.
Both sides crated chances in the opening exchanges but solid defences and cold hands saw the chances go begging until Dromore mauled over for Harry Cromie to score about 11 minutes in. Daniel Ennis-McMannus added the extras to take the score to 7 – 0.
Armagh had an extended period of possession and, after coming close on a couple of occasions, the finally worked wing Kai Sterritt over in the corner to take the score to 5 – 7 about 20 minutes later.
Dromore had the last word with a late try from scrumhalf Josh Brown to give Dromore a 12 – 5 lead at half time.
Armagh pulled it back to 12 – 12 after a try from Archie Johnston and a conversion from Josh Lowey early in the second half.
Dromore restored their lead four minutes later with Matthew Heasley diving over to finish off a good breakout. Ennis-McMannus added the extras to take it to 19 – 12 in Dromore’s favour.
It was Armagh’s turn to come roaring back and some quick thinking from replacement scrum half Will Boyd saw him cross unopposed and with Lowey adding the extras the game was tied at 19 – 19 with 20 minutes remaining.
In a niggly final quarter Dromore were the only team to find the line with Erin Strydom sliding over out wide with 10 minutes to go. Ennis-McMannus knocked over the difficult conversion to take the score to 26 – 19.
Armagh had chances to tie the game but ill discipline gave Dromore chances to clear and the home side held on for the 26 – 19 win.
An entertaining game, just a bit too much chat from both sides in the second half!
Corrections, comments or questions?