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Newry RFC Veterans travelled to the Belfast lough shore recently to play our friends Azlans RFC, at the Jordanstown sports village.
Newry started the game with 13 players, but were provided with 2 players by Azlans, to keep things competitive.
Newry drew first blood with a try after 10 minutes, with a powerful carry by Iain Scott, but not long after some great play and pressure by the Azlans pack, they were rewarded with a well worked try.
Newry drove back up the pitch led by captain fantastic Daniel Armstong, and minutes later another try was scored out wide by winger Stephen Rea.
But it was all Azlans ball, keeping to tight and creating another score to level the game 10-10 after 25minutes.
The start of the 2nd half was all Azlans who were playing with good structure and confidence and their reward was 2 tries in quick succession leaving the game 24-10 Azlans.
Newry were staring to look tired but 15 minutes into the 2nd half the calvary turned up with some experienced vets coming onto the pitch in the form of the twin Decs – Declan Tolan and Declan Doyle who brought some ballast to the Newry pack. With the introduction of 5 new players, Newry Vets found a much-needed 5th gear and with that out half Daniel Armstrong and Hooker John McKevitt both touching down for tries after some great backline moves leaving the score 25-24 Newry Vets.
Momentum now swung in Newry’s favour leading into the last 20 minutes, the Azlans were bravely running at will against Newry, with some fantastic forward play asking questions of Newry’s defence several times. But Newry hung in there and created another score close under the posts to allow the conversion to complete leaving the score 32-24 with less than 5 minutes remaining.
A well worked lineout move and some powerful forward play resulted in a final try to Newry as the clock hit 80min mark, final score Newry RFC Veterans – 39- 24 Azlans RFC
Newry Vets would like to thank the Azlans for hosting them and the fantastic hospitality given to them after the game, and they are looking forward to the fixtures again next season.
