Dungannon welcomed league leaders, Wanderers, to Stevenson Park for a top of the table clash that would have a major bearing on the promotion ambitions of both teams. The dry, still conditions were perfect for a running game of rugby and both teams didn’t disappoint.

Dungannon started brightly showing great handling and continuity to retain possession and put pressure on Wanderers in their own half. The Wanderers’ defence held out, but conceded a series of penalties, which Dungannon opted to kick to the corner. The Dungannon driving maul came close on a number of attempts, but couldn’t quite turn the pressure into points. The Dungannon pressure eventually paid off in the 17th minute, when the Wanderers’ full back fumbled a pass, which was snapped up by the ever alert Adam Milligan, who raced in from the Wanderers’ 22 for a try. Ben McCaughey added the conversion.

Wanderers started to gain more possession and looked to work the ball through the phases, but a disciplined and resolute Dungannon defence managed to contain any Wanderers’ attacks and force mistakes. Dungannon were awarded a penalty on 26 Minutes, which was slotted over by Ben McCaughey to make it 10-0.

Further Dungannon pressure towards the end of the half, saw the Wanderers second row yellow carded for a high tackle. Dungannon kicked to the corner and a well worked catch and drive from the lineout resulted in Sam Montgomery scoring Dungannon’s second try. Ben McCaughey kicked a good conversion from wide out, to leave the score 17-0 to Dungannon at half time.

It was Wanderers who applied the pressure in the opening minutes of the second half, but in the 44th minute, a perfectly timed Ben McCaughey tackle halted the Wanderers’ back line in their tracks. Dungannon turned the ball over from the ensuing ruck and a superb cross field kick from Peter Nelson was collected by Toby Gribben on the halfway line, who outpaced the Wanderers defence to score a fine try. Ben McCaughey’s conversion increased Dungannon’s lead to 24-0.

However, Wanderers were not finished. Building on a sustained period of possession, they put pressure on the Dungannon defence, leading to Wanderers opening score in the 54th minute with a converted try for Conor McQuaid. Wanderers struck again in the 62nd minute following a charge down in Dungannon’s 22, enabling winger Jamie Murphy to get in for a try in the corner, converted by Fitzgibbon. Further good handling from the visitors saw a third Wanderer’s try on 66 minutes, which was again converted by Fitzgibbon, to leave Dungannon with a narrow lead at 24-21.

Whilst the Dungannon faithful’s nerves were beginning to fray, the team held their composure to came back into the game. A superb 50-22 kick from Andrew McGregor, gave Dungannon a line-out 15 m out from the Wanderers’ line. The ensuing catch and drive was stopped 5 m short, but Toby Gribben showed great vision and strength to snipe over for his second and Dungannon’s fourth try on 76 minutes, with Ben McCaughey converting.

Whilst Dungannon had secured the victory, Wanderers continued to attack to the end and were rewarded with a converted try in the final play of the game, to leave the final score at 31 – 28 to Dungannon.

This was a hugely important bonus point win for Dungannon that keeps the club within touching distance of the league leaders, Wanderers. Another hugely important game awaits Dungannon next Saturday when the team travels away to play to third placed Clogher Valley and your support would be greatly appreciated by the team.