RUGBY: Emphatic win for Seconds

Playing in blustery but dry conditions, the Coleraine men put in a dominant display, attacking and defending with style and making full use of each scoring opportunity.

The first try went to team captain Paul Shiels when he sliced through the defence after taking possession of a quick ball. Michael Griffith, playing out-half, took on kicking duties but the wind pushed the conversion off course. He soon redeemed this with a well struck penalty.

Next up was Peter O’Hara, playing in the centre. He bulldozed his way through two home defenders to score and Griffith converted.

Harry Tate and Ronnie Caskey combined well to make the next score for Tate and the conversion was on target. Griffith kept up his tally with another penalty and three more points.

Just before the break Clogher Valley attacked and scored a converted try.

In the second half Coleraine’s Mat Waddell was the first to score. A great drive by the forwards, off a lineout, saw Adam Teacy, Stuart Evans and William Chestnut make ground and Waddell picking from the back and driving over the line.

The next try went to scrum-half Cameron Jinks with a smart pick and go from the back of the scrum.

The final score came after the veteran Gareth McCollum made a scintillating run, off-loading to O’Hara who neatly sidestepped the opposition to score. The swirling wind put paid to each of the conversion chances and the final score was Clogher Valley 7 Coleraine 40.

It was a very satisfying result for the first league game of the season and hopefully a sign of things to come.

This weekend the Seconds are at home to Londonderry YMCA.

In the only other game on Saturday, the Fourths defeated Ards Thirds 44-12.