Omagh Academicals IV XV 29 – Monaghan II XV 0
 
Omagh Accies fourth XV welcomed Monaghan seconds to The Thomas Mellon Playing Fields on Friday night past in a Regional South League fixture. In near perfect conditions for rugby, Omagh recorded five tries in a hard-fought victory over a dogged Monaghan outfit.
 
The Accies started strongly and were two tries up within the first quarter of the game. The first try of the game came after several hefty carries from Blair and Hemphill creating room in the backline and the ball was spread through the hands for Rennick to dive over in the corner. Omagh then capitalised on the visitors trying to play deep in their own half, Ward executed a chop tackle and Taleni won the turnover. Omagh kicked the penalty to the corner and set the maul which went over with Blair arising with the ball for an unconverted score.
 
Omagh’s third try of the night came on the half hour mark, Ward threw an outrageous dummy and made ten meters. Thereafter the forwards took over and after several pick and goes, Todd crashed over for a converted try.
 
Halftime 17-0
 
The fours secured the bonus point early in the second half and it was the try of the match that sealed it. A driving maul from a lineout made 15 meters, the pack then showed great patience to retain possession, once recycled the ball was spread through the entire backline for Thompson to score in the far corner - see video.
Omagh finished off the game in style. After a period of pressure on the Monaghan goal line, Omagh were awarded a 5m scrum. Lyons went within a meter of the line, next up was Blair who blasted his was over for his second try of the evening.
 
A superb victory for the fours against a battling Monaghan outfit who didn’t concede ground easily. This victory was built on the solid platform at the lineout and scrum, the fours backline looked dangerous all night with handling superb and very few unforced errors. The team also welcomed Neil Mellon back after a few years sabbatical, the fullback had a fine evening and will be a useful addition.
 
Next up for the fours is a McCambley Cup quarter final this Saturday against an undefeated Portadown thirds.
 
Team (1-18)
K. Alexander(C), P. Todd, J. Blair, A. Knox, S. Knox, R. Hemphill, R. Harpur, S. Lyons, S. Robinson, D. Ward, R. Thompson, Y. Taleni, A. McIlwaine, L. Rennick, N. Mellon, J. Rainey, S. Brown, B. Irvine