Dungannon and Monmouth go head to head in the Stevenson Park outfits opening tour fixture.
Dungannon ran out winners in their opening summer tour fixture in New Jersey against a spirited Monmouth County, Redbank by 65 – 10.
A tour party of 30 members left Stevenson Park on Thursday 11th August bound for New York and Boston to embark on the clubs first tour to the area since 1979, when the likes of Willie Anderson, Jimmy McCoy and last years President Stanley Turkington where amongst the touring party.
The playing party, of 22 players, began the tour with a match on Saturday 13th August where Dungannon tour veteran and Captain Paul Magee led out the team against Monmouth County, Redbank.
The team went up against past players Aaron Fry, Melvin Ferry and were well looked after by tour guide Geoffrey Morrow.
The party is now heading for Boston where they will face the New England “Boston Barbarians” (not to be confused with the Irish Boston Wolfhounds) on Thursday.
Match report from Dungannon’s Website
1st XV vs Monmouth USA (65 – 10)
A good result for the tourists in their opening fixture. Our roving reporter Derek Clements advises that the players are in good spirits although somewhat disappointed that injuries to Philip Stinson and Gareth McMullen have forced them to join the ranks of the dreaded Alikadoos!
Monmouth kicked off at Thompson Park in 88 degrees heat (31 C for the younger readers). Michael Lawton put the visitors on the scoreboard with a penalty after three minutes. 0 – 3
Shortly afterwards Stewart McKenzie picked up at the base of the scrum and fed Craig Millar who forced his way over at the posts. Michael Lawton converted. 0 – 10.
Following their first visit to the Dungannon twenty-two, Joe Lucarelli kicked a penalty to open the Monmouth account. 3 – 10
When a home player failed to roll away Lawton struck an excellent penalty from forty metres out. 3 – 13
Although Dungannon starting to dominate the scrums, the home side looked dangerous exhibiting some very direct running and physicality. It was from a loose ball that Eric Daneman outpaced the Dungannon defence to score from
the half way line. Lucarelli converted. 10 – 13
Dungannon showed good ball retention for Chris Blair to score in the corner with Lawton converting. 10 – 20
Just before half time the irrepressible James Bates tapped a penalty and scored with Lawton again converting. 10 – 27
Unfortunately at this stage two Dungannon players sustained bad injuries. Gareth McMullan damaged ankle ligaments and Philip Stinson ended up in hospital with a broken wrist.
Early in the second half following loose play by Monmouth, some good handling saw Michael Lawton score an unconverted try. 10 – 32
Chris Blair came close to scoring but was adjudged in touch by an assistant referee and former Dungannon player, John Wright. Mark Riddell then scored after this period of pressure with Michael Lawton converting. 10 – 39
A break by guest player Casey Cronk led to a try from Junior Vice Paul Magee. 10 – 44.
Surprisingly Dungannon adjusted better to the heat and thanks to the many much needed water breaks and player rotation finished much the stronger. In the final quarter from a twenty-two metre line out drive Adam Duhig touch
down with Michael Lawton again converting. 10 – 51
Mark Riddell got his second and Captain Magee finished the match with his second with Michael Lawton converting both. 10 – 65.
A first class performance by the entire squad in very hot conditions with the visitors showing superior handling and ball retention skills and dominating the scrums. Monmouth did look dangerous with the ball in hand but were often isolated from their support; they relished the physical challenge but the Dungannon defence was sound.
Squad: Gareth McMullan, Adam Duhig, Glen Sinnamon, Aaron Fry, Gareth Lucas,Craig Millar, Mark Riddell, Stuart McKenzie, James Bates, Michael Lawton,Philip Stinson, Ethan Allen, Paul Magee, Andrew Holmes, Christopher Blair, Simon McCarroll, Steven Graham, Adam Booth, Casey Cronk and Richard Holmes.
Scorers
Tries: Craig Miller, Christopher Blair, James Bates, Michael Lawton, Adam Duhig, Mark Riddell (2) and Paul Magee (2).
Cons: Michael Lawton (7)
Pen: Michael Lawton (2)
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