Coleraine progress in Junior Cup with win over Instonians

On Friday evening the Firsts travelled to take on Instonians Seconds in the cup and in an eventful game came away the better of the 26-46 scoreline. Two yellow cards could have spelled disaster for the Bannsiders but effective and hard fought defence saved the day.

Speaking after the match coach Richard Beggs said: “It was an outstanding performance from the boys. We played some fantastic rugby, we kept control and we finished the match.

“Kenny Calladine, Nigel Hall and Conor Simpson had great games, Stephen Douglas and Bernard Mullan also played strongly. The entire team put in a great performance and a lot new people put their hands up during the game for future selection.

“Now we return to the league and we will be looking for some good performances there.”

On Friday evening Coleraine took control of the game from the start and had a try within five minutes. Daniel Ramage and Kenny Calladine made great breaks, sending Nigel Hall wide and then from the ruck the ball went across the backs, Conor Simpson cutting a superb line before popping to Hall to score under the posts. Bokkie Carstens converted. 0-7

Five minutes later captain Stephen Douglas made a break away from the ruck, Ramage continuing the surge before offloading to Simpson to sprint in and score, again under the posts. The try was converted. 0-14

On 18 minutes Coleraine again attacked, Simon McLean having secured the ball in the lineout and Douglas attacking through the defence from the ruck. He offloaded to Calladine and the ball was moved out to McLean again who had the pace to make the line from the 22 and score out wide. The conversion went wide. 0-19

Instonians then took the initiative and scored two converted tries, the first from a rolling maul from the 22, the other when the full back was well positioned to sprint over the line. 14-19

Just as the half ended Coleraine attacked from a line out, Simpson cutting a brilliant line to outpace the defence and score. Carstens converted bringing the halftime score to 14-26.

The start of the second half brought potential problems for the Bannsiders.

Within one minute Calladine was shown the yellow card for offences at the ruck. Coleraine put up a spirited defence but were sent reeling when Douglas was also carded on eight minutes leaving three minutes with a two man disadvantage. Massive defence on the line saved the day and Inst were kept at bay.

Fifteen minutes into the half Reza Dehagani, playing in the centre, made the break on the blind side before offloading to a charging Simpson to score in the corner. 14-31

Five minutes later the home side scored a converted try in the corner. 21-31

Three minutes after Coleraine scored again. Archie Kettyle placed a clever box kick into the Instonians 22, Andrew Barr chased and got possession, drew the full back before popping to Carstens to score under the posts. He then converted. 21-38

Instonians scored again, the scrum half and back row combining to get the try. 26-38

Coleraine kept the pressure going, claiming another 8 points and bringing the final scoreline of Instonians 26 – 46 Coleraine and the visitors progress to the next round of the cup.

This weekend Coleraine entertain CIYMS in the league.

In other matches the results were Grosvenor Seconds 21-10 Coleraine Seconds and Coleraine Thirds 20-19 Armagh Thirds.

Coleraine First XV: M Hunter, R Smith, A Gaston, D Ramage, S McLean, S Douglas, B Mullan, K Calladine, A Kettyle, B Carstens, N Hall, C Simpson, R Dehagani (McAuley), A Barr, J Henderson,. Subs: A McAuley, C Braiden