Top job for Coleraine
COLERAINE made sure of a win against Dromore on Saturday, with a final score of 17-0
The win secures a top four place in the Kukri Qualifying League and a run in the All-Ireland Junior Cup next season. There were problems for Coleraine as they faced a lot of injury problems at the weekend but they still managed to produce a fine performance against a more confident Dromore side.
After the match Coleraine coach Richard Kernohan said: "I was very happy with the performance. It was good to bounce back after last week's defeat against Derry.
"We had a few injury problems and we had to bring in a lot of players at the last minute. I was very pleased with their performance, especially Paul Shields and Darren Smyth, who worked very hard.
"The only disappointment was not securing the bonus point. We had a number of very good scoring opportunities but just couldn't get them over the line. All in all it was a good game."
Coleraine started the match playing into the wind and Dromore had an early opportunity to score. With seven minutes on the clock a penalty attempt was blown just wide of the posts.
Coleraine created most of the pressure throughout the match and with 14 minutes gone they scored. Steve Castle kicked the ball deep into Dromore territory and it found touch creating a five metre throw in for the home side.
Coleraine won the ball and, urged on by Archie Kettyle, the forwards slowly forced their way to the line. Steven Dickey did the honours as he forced over and scored, ably assisted by Richard McNeely and Gareth Cochrane. The conversion attempt by Adam Parke went just wide.
As the first half drew to a close Dromore went on the offensive and Coleraine had to pull out all the stops to prevent a score. Phase after phase were held out until Coleraine cleared their lines and the whistle went for the break.
In the second half it took 15 minutes of Coleraine pressure to produce the next score. Coleraine were bearing down on the Dromore line when Adam Parke took the ball 10 metres out and powered his way through the remaining defence to score under the posts. Parke also claimed two points with the conversion.
Five minutes later Parke again made it to the line only to be denied when he came up against the post. On 21 minutes Coleraine were still intent on the visitors' line and after a smart break from Archie Kettyle, Harry Tate was on hand to break a tackle and score in the corner. Parke's conversion was just wide.
In the last 15 minutes Ryan Gibson and Mark Hunter replaced Sam Bartlett and Chris Blair. Coleraine kept up the pressure and after one of the Dromore front row was yellow carded, a penalty to Coleraine saw Parke almost cross the line in the corner, but he was denied the score just as the final whistle blew.
With only one more match to play, against Enniskillen at the end of March, Coleraine are assured a top four finish in the Kukri Qualifying League. Level pegging with Cooke, who have a game in hand, Coleraine are 14 points ahead of both Ballymoney and Clogher Valley, both of whom have two matches to play and only a maximum of 10 points available.
Also on Saturday Coleraine Seconds lost 35-5 to Belfast Harlequins Thirds and Coleraine Thirds had a narrow 11-10 win over Dromore Seconds at home.
Coleraine: S Jefferson, R McNeely, S Bartlett, J Gault, P Bogle, B Mullan, G Cochrane, S Dickey, A Kettyle, A Parke, C McNay, S Castle, D Smyth, C Blair, P Shields. Subs: M Hunter, R Gibson.
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Weather for Coleraine
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
