The Over 35’s match between Malone and Belfast Harlequins kicked off a Festival of Rugby at Gibson Park on Saturday morning.

With a persistent drizzle throughout and after 18 months out of completive rugby, maybe a touch longer in some cases, both teams kept things simple in the early exchanges and it was no surprise that the first period ended without the scoreboard being troubled.

After a prolonged break, for a mixed ability game, the teams resumed for the second period and the visitors quickly got the upper hand, scoring two tries after keeping Malone largely pinned in their own half.

Industrious scrum half Rickie McKee grabbed their first score out wide and centre Eddie Hamilton went over for the second four minutes later. Replacement scrum half Rodger Kirkwood converted the second to give Harlequins a 12 – 0 win.

The visitors can thank their sprightly half backs for the win.

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