Opening day win for Dromore at the Hill

Academy 6

DROMORE hosted Academy at Barban Hill on Saturday in both teams' first competitive fixture of the 2010/2011 season.

Coach Jacques Benade had selected a strong pack with Gary Hall making his debut at No 8, one day after his wife presented him with a baby daughter.

Dromore attacked well from the start and it was clear both sides had done their homework and well organised defences cancelled out most scoring opportunities.

A break on the blind side by Jonny McKnight on half an hour led to Dromore's first try, he fed James Frame who took play up until the 22 where he timed his pass perfectly to put the impressive Gary Hall in for the try. Sammy Russell missed the conversion and Dromore were 5-0 up.

The Academy side continued to run their patterns at the Dromore team but could not make a breakthrough. The turnover ball saw Harshaw explode from the side of a ruck close to halfway and he fed Lloyd McDonald who raced over for Dromore's second try; again the conversion was missed.

Academy completed the scoring before half time with a well struck penalty leaving the score 10-3 at the break.

Academy came hard at Dromore in the second half. They controlled possession for most of the half but could only manage one more penalty. Dromore's impressive tackling and organised defense held firm and they held out for a 10-6 victory.

Chris Brigl looked sharp in the backline and Gary Hall was the pick of the pack, although Stephen Robinson, Simon Beattie, Patton and Campbell worked tirelessly in defence, Adam McDonald took an early knock to the shoulder but bravely battled on for the team.

Coach Benade said after the game, "I'm happy with a win here today, but the Academy team deserve credit because they asked a lot of questions of us.

"We have a lot to work on before we make the trip to Limavady next Saturday but we're back with a win which is important."

Dromore Seconds 8

Portadown Thirds 8

Dromore Seconds got their season underway with a 8-8 draw gainst Portadown Thirds.

Craig Williams kicked a penalty to add to a Kyle Copeland try.