Ulster Herald Match Report - League title wide open after Accies’ win Omagh Accies…………………………….36 Ballyclare………………………………..20 OMAGH Accies threw the Kukri Qualifying League Two League title race wide open again at the Mellon Playing Fields on Saturday afternoon, when they produced a superb performance to topple leaders Ballyclare on their way to a crucial try bonus point. As expected this top of the table clash was competitive from start to finish with both teams enjoying periods of dominance as fortunes fluctuated constantly. The Clare playing their part in a titanic struggle with Al Boyd, Jordan McKinstry, David Crawford and full back Bobby Smith all leading by example. Omagh were equal to the task. Defending in numbers, moving at pace and attacking in droves the young Accies delivered arguably their best team display of the season with the bonus point keeping their title hopes alive. David Thompson and Yonga Telani deputising for the injured Mark Smyth and Alan Heaney respectively slotted into the squad superbly on a day the Omagh back line produced some quality attacking rugby. The Pack with Mervyn Edgar, Richard Harper and Richard Smyth unrelenting met the Clare challenge head on and Omagh were not found wanting. Omagh enjoyed a slender 15-13 lead but there was no doubting where this game was won and lost. With the game in the balance referee Richard Chambers issued a yellow card to Graham McKinstry with Ballyclare Coach Bob Young claiming it had a massive bearing on the result. “We had two players sin binned, but I thought Graham’s was the decisive one. I felt we had a try scoring chance ourselves, but were penalised and, the yellow card saw a massive swing in points and change in momentum as Omagh scored shortly after the incident. It is a disappointing result for us. It adds pressure for our remaining games but the title race is still within our hands and I hope the lads can bounce back.” The feeling was more upbeat in the Accies camp. Injured stand-in captain Mark Smyth said, “It was a massive effort and performance from one to fifteen and to get the bonus point is satisfying. We were defensively sound and our back line were superior to them all afternoon. We showed our appetite and hunger to win this game and while Ballyclare are still favourites it is up to us to keep the pressure on them as the season reaches a critical stage.”
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 11:53:11 +0000
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