We made, what now must be regarded as, our traditional early season trip to Dungannon to cover their match against their “local” rivals Omagh Academicals. While this game may not have had as much incident as last year’s epic it was still an entertaining enough encounter.

Dungannon started the game determined to overturn last season’s result and they kept Omagh pinned in their own territory for much of the first half. Both sides were a bit rusty and the home side suffered the most with a few dropped passes costing them the chance of turning their possession into points.

Omagh took full advantage with a late charge upfield ending with the hard working Arlene McLaughlin battling her way to the line for the games opening try. Siobhan Sheerin added the extras with the last kick off the half giving Omagh a seven point lead as the teams changed end.

The second half was the reverse of the first with Omagh applying all the pressure and they were able to turn it into points. Cathy Keatley and Kirsty Ewing each crossed for a try alongside the impressive Sheerin who crossed for two, converting one.

Dungannon looked as though they were going to break their duck when their young winger sprinted clear in the closing moments. However, Sheering only confirmed her “Superstar” status in this fixture with an all encompassing tackle dislodging the ball in the in goal area.

Heartbreak for Dungannon, who didn’t deserve to finish the game scoreless, but both sides will have got a lot out of this “return to rugby” and that’s what this game was all about.

Our Player of the Game for this fixture goes to an Omagh player for the second year running. This time it’s outhalf Helena Clements that gets the honours thanks to her tackle and rucking count alongside her outhalf duties.

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