Firsts bang on form

On a bright afternoon Coleraine made the journey to Co Down and, despite a number of squad changes, produced a great display of controlled yet open rugby. Seven tries ensured a bonus point for the visitors and they now move to next week’s Junior Cup derby with University of Ulster, Coleraine, buoyed by the recent run of success.

Speaking on Monday Coleraine coach Richard Kernohan said: “We had a great result in Bangor and it was good to see they guys sticking to the game plan. In the last 30 minutes we really opened the game up.

“It could have been a risky game coming after the high of winning against Ballymoney. As it was we kept our discipline and positive attitude and got the basics right.

“That’s not to say we didn’t have some issues during some periods of the match. We upped our game this week again and we need to keep raising the bar ever week.

“Yet again we had some unavoidable changes and it was great to see the likes of Nial Irwin and Richard Glover stepping up to the mark so well, showing again the strength and depth of the squad. Next week we should have a number of the missing players available for selection again.

“We have plenty to work on in training and the spirit within the squad is great. We are in the unusual position, for Coleraine, of having to make choices about who to play and there is a lot of competition for places every week. It’s up to us to manage the people and the teams to best effect.”

Looking forward to this weekend there is the prospect of an intriguing local derby between the University and the town clubs. Although the Uni is in a lower division of the league, Richard is taking no chances.

He said: “This is a step into the unknown. I don’t know that we have ever played them before but we know that they are a successful side and will be out to take the match. They have a number of very talented players available to them and they are a strong side.

“We are targeting the Junior Cup this season and we will be fielding our strongest side with a view to winning. The Cup is important to us but we also want to ensure that we remain the best club in the local area and that includes winning on Saturday.

“We have a positive squad spirit going and we will be trying to bring that to bear at the Uni. We see the opposition as providing a very serious threat and we will be concentrating on our game plans throughout the match.”

Last Saturday Coleraine travelled to the seaside without a number of the regular squad. Despite this they dominated the match against Bangor from the off.

It was just 13 minutes into the game when the first try came. Coleraine secured a throw-in five metres from the Bangor line. A rolling maul saw the Coleraine pack cross the line and Steven Dickey was awarded the try.

Coleraine used the same tactic to pressure the Bangor lines seven minutes later. This time as the ruck settled on the try line, Phil Coulter put the ball out to Greg Jordan to scamper over the line and score. Coulter was on target for the conversion.

With 25 minutes on the clock the Coleraine forwards won possession and Paul Shiels, travelling at speed from 35 metres out, cut through the defence to score under the posts. Coulter converted.

In the last move of the half Coleraine attacked, Shiels chipping the ball deep into Bangor territory. The home side gave away a penalty and Coulter claimed three points as the whistle blew, the score 22-0 to Coleraine

There was no let-up in the second half, Coleraine immediately gaining an advantage. Coulter fed the ball to Stuart Simpson and he attacked in physical style, breaking through three solid tackles to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Captain Steven Dickey was to the fore, as usual, 15 minutes later as Coleraine again rolled the ball over the line and Dickey touched down for another fine team try. The conversion fell just short.

The next score went to Bangor, attacking deep into Coleraine’s 22 and evading the defence to score in the corner. The conversion saw them claim the full seven points.

Almost on the half-hour, Coleraine had possession just into the Bangor half. Jordan slipped the ball to Simpson and after a strong run he fed the ball to Johnny Henderson who completed the attack and scored. Coulter converted.

The final score of the match went to new-comer Chris Barber. Coleraine stole possession in a Bangor scrum, the ball moving swiftly across the backs to Barber. He sprinted through the opposition defence and scored near the posts. Coulter converted bringing the final score-line to Bangor 7 Coleraine 46.

This week, Saturday, 16 October, Coleraine travel to the University of Ulster, Coleraine for the second round of the Junior Cup. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

The other team results for Coleraine last Saturday were Coleraine Seconds 41 Ballynahinch Thirds 26, Grosvenor Seconds 50 Coleraine Thirds 15, Clogher Valley Thirds 22 Coleraine Fourths 10 and Coleraine U19s 13 Donegal U19s 8.

Coleraine First XV: J Carey, N Montgomery, A Gaston (A Hogg), W Hunt (N Beddow), P Bogle, R Gibson, R Glover, S Dickey (Capt), P Coulter, G Jordan, C Barber, S Simpson, J Henderson, N Irwin, P Shiels. Subs: A Hogg, N Beddow.

STORY: Milne Rowntree