Third defeat of the season for Dromore

Dromore RFC 13

Armagh RFC 49

Dromore suffered their third league defeat of the season as Armagh scored five tries at a drenched Barban Hill last Saturday.

The first half was more promising than the 0-0 score line suggested, both teams had opportunities to score, but an injury ravaged Dromore looked the more likely.

The second half allowed Armagh to find their feet and a penalty opened the scoring for the visitors before a ricocheting ball allowed Armagh a little bit of space which was exploited to the full with the outside centre eventually touching down behind the posts.

A second try followed soon after before Dromore put themselves on the scoreboard with a two penalties from Stephen Nolan.

The third try of the match came in controversial fashion a kick through from quickly recycled possession appeared to everyone on the touchline to have gone well over the dead ball line before the Armagh winger touched the ball down, however the referee decided to award the try.

Dromore started to gain more teritory in the Armagh 22 and were rewarded when the forwards formed a maul 12 metres from the line and drove forward relentlessly with a Dromore player touching the ball down wide on the left. Nolan stepped up and slotted home a fine conversion.

Armagh were able to add two more tries in the closing minutes against the resiliant Dromore defence.

Dromore will be encouraged by their preformance against the pace setters in the league but will have to pull out another performance as City of Derry visit Barban Hill next week chasing a bonus point win to keep themselves hot on Armaghs heels.