Teenage kicks as Carrick Under-17s get the better of Armagh

Although the weather forecast was rather gloomy, the home side’s performance was such as to lighten up the already cheery Christmas atmosphere.

Playing into a strong wind Carrick had Armagh at sixes and sevens early on with solid drives and good ball retention.

After some initial parrying Carrick burst into action with Andy Campbell blazing down the right, beating the opposition on the outside before cutting to the posts to oblige Sam Wallace’s conversion.

A hardy band of supporters, opposition followers and neutrals alike were then treated to what was potentially the youth rugby try of the season.

A huge wind-assisted kick from Armagh allowed them to force a five-metre scrum on the Carrick 15-metre line.

A John Stewart strike against the head, one of many, allowed Conor Cambridge to feed Wallace going left. He, in turn, released Arron Rea who took off up the left wing going first outside then inside to draw the last defender before deftly passing inside to Wallace who ran in unopposed and then converted.

Matthew Fisher, making a welcome cameo appearance on his return to action, added a third try on the half after good lead up work by forwards and backs combining in an impressive offloading passage of play.

Armagh used the wind to advantage again to score a converted try very much against the run of play.

The second half was dictated by rapidly deteriorating conditions and it was credit to both teams that they retained the energy and indeed will to continue in the wind and rain.

Jordan Devenney added a score and was unlucky not to have had two further tries as he intercepted the bar of soap that was now impersonating a rugby ball.

Owen Hunter was last but not least on the scoreboard as he weighed in with a well-taken try after shaking off the lethargy of a long and arduous journey to make it to the ground for kick-off time.

All in all, it was the weather which held sway over the rugby and both teams are to be congratulated for their endeavours.

The solid front row of Magill, Stewart and McMurtry was complimented by hard-running locks McBurney and Dodds, Surgeoner Fisher and Gardner carried out their duties to a tee, setting quality ball for Cambridge and Wallace.

The midfield pairing of Rodgers and Gorman was tight in defence and brought the back three running skills of Campbell, Rea and Hunter to try-scoring fruition.

A strong squad requires a strong bench and Devenney, McCleerey and Justin brought impact to the pack with Smyth and McCord offering fresh legs and warmer hands to the fray in the backs.

Training takes place as usual on Wednesday night at 7:15pm.

At U15s level the home side put up a creditable performance against Armagh who are in contention for league honours having only suffered one defeat so far this season.

Carrick chose to play with a strong wind at their backs and used this clear advantage to gain territorial advantage throughout the half.

Two well converted tries to one try and a penalty left Carrick going into the break with a narrow lead.

In the second period of play Armagh themselves used the strong wind to pin the home side back in their own 22 for long periods.

With the young Carrick side tiring, Armagh scored two converted tries without reply leaving the final score of 24-14 to Armagh. A gutsy performance from this improving Carrick U15s side who as the season progresses are showing that, come the Cup in March, they may well prove a handful for any opposition.

At U13s level Carrick lost narrowly to last season’s U13 Ulster champions. Playing into the wind in the first-half, Carrick came under pressure from Armagh who opened the scoring with an unconverted try. Cairan Wilson hit back to score a try for the home team which went unconverted. Armagh again regained the lead from a barnstorming run from their impressive number eight, only for Carrick to reply through Matthew Reith.

In the second-half Armagh showed what they are made of, scoring two more unanswered tries leaving the final score 24-10 to the visitors.

This week the Carrick Youth sides travel to Lurgan for league fixtures.