Randalstown 1XV 9 Holywood 1XV 26

Randalstown welcomed a very well drilled Holywood side on Saturday in what was to be a bruising encounter. The game started well with Steven French's kicking keeping Holywood pinned well back in their 22.
However this domination didn't last long however and a useful back move by the away team opened the home defence up. An excellent cover tackle from Mark Mulholland simply delayed the envitable as their flanker was close on hand to pick and drive over from close range on ten minutes. The extras where added to make it 0-7.
This seemed to inspire the Randalstown pack good link up play between backrowers Dan Wilson and Sammy Hyndman forced Holywood to concede the penalty around the ten metre line. Luckily Peter McCann, making his first appearance for the ones this year slotted the kick quite easily to bring the score back to 3-7 on 20 minutes. The game became very scrappy and the next ten minutes resulted in a series of mistakes from both sides. Then on 31 minutes another long range penalty was awarded to the Town which McCann slotted once again.
Then five minutes before half time an unlucky combination of a bad bounce and a slip resulted in Holywoods outside centre to run in from 20 metres. This try was converted to leave the score at 6-14. This was hard luck for the home side as Holywood were made to look ordinary at times by a good front five performance around the park. Special mention must go to Mark Wilkinson in what was his first appearance for the First XV. Despite wearing shorts that can only be described as feminine, he scrummaged well and got around the park like every hooker should. Half time was blown shortly after the secound try.
The second half started quite brightly for Randalstown. A good clearance kick from French and excellent chasing from Ryan McGarry forced a mistake by the Holywood backs. This resulted in them holding onto the ball in the tackle and Peter McCann once again slotting over from close range. The comeback was looking on.
Then disaster struck. Holywood, against the run of play cut through the home defence to score a well worked try. The kick was added to make it 9-21.
Holywood looked threatening every time they got the ball for the next 15 minutes. Three great try saving tackles by winger Ben Winter and also a great hit by Noel Mulholland saved 'Towns blushes. On 65 minutes loose defensive formation by the Holywood side allowed Alex Park to dart up the wing from scrumhalf. Despite beating the first man, he was then swamped by the Holywood centres which prevented a certain score.
The next attack of note was by out half French. Despite chants by the crowd to get a hair cut, he remained focused and beat his opposite man with a run. A lack of support resulted in a turnover and Holywood to clear their lines. Unfortunately the away team where not finished scoring another try with seconds remaining to make the final score 9-26.
Despite the score, Randalstown played with bundles of effort, just poor finishing proved costly. Next week the team travel to Strabane which will be the usual 2.30pm start. It will be a tough game and players are asked to make extra effort to attend training.

Team: McCann, Winter, Agnew, M Mulholland, McGarry, French, Park, Finlay, Wilkinson, Keating, N Mulholland, M Millar, Hyndman, Ings, Wilson (c)

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