Having just watched their 3rd string comfortably defeat Enniskillen in the Foster cup in the earlier kickoff Malone were in confident mood for their Minor East fixture against Civil Service. A makeshift backline saw utility player Bryn Sturgeon moved into centre lining up opposite to erstwhile teammate Bruce Harper and Craig Algie move back into the second row alongside Captain Paul Culbert. Service knew right from the start that they would be tested as Malone set their direct strike runners hard at the defensive line but Alastair 'Doosh' Beacom in centre, Ryan Campbell and Matty Thompson on the wings all put in hard tackles early on to hold back the tide. Unfortunately the inevitable came as Malone recycled the ball a few times and the stretched Service line was breached out wide as they took advantage of the overlap.
From the restart though Service showed a bit more steel, the restart put up high by outhalf John Byrne was inviting for the chasers and with flankers Stuart Moody and Matt Robinson especially up quickly Malone lost a little composure. With hard yards made by the forwards Service found themselves able to put a little pressure on their hosts but the home line held firm and the visitors had to be content with a lengthy 3 point penalty gained from the boot of Byrne.

This seemed to galvanise the home side as they realised that Service would be no pushovers, they pushed forward in pursuit of more points but again the visitors held firm and scrum half Steven Lawton was able to box kick on a number of occasions to clear lines. Malone continued to press but instead of crash balls it was a clever switch move that wrongfooted their opponents and allowed them to score a well worked try under the posts. Service regrouped and the scrum fronted by Rab Warnock, and Gareth Lewis was secured and Thomas Bell did well to win a few against the head but still the pressure exerted by the hosts was too much although number 8 Iain Thomas did make a couple of strong runs from the base. Even with substitutes coming on in the second half - Simon Toland for the injured Matty Robinson and Phil Patterson on into number 8, while there was an increased workrate and a higher intensity still Service couldn't hold them back. Harper was allowed to bounce away from 4/5 weak tackles and scored a soft try but on the whole the Service tackling was much improved on previous weeks and the final score of 43-3 did not do justice to their efforts. They had come close themselves to a try when winger Ryan Campbell was bundled into touch just shy of the line and a couple of penalties from Byrne had been close but the hosts deserved a strong win and Service will want to replicate the strong parts of their game in the cup match against Academy next week

Final Score: 43 - 3

Service Man of the Match: Despite many good efforts particularly from Thomas Bell and Emmett McKimm MOM was awarded to Alastair Beacom, against a strong centre pairing he put in a number of strong tackles and held position well in a tough match

Dick of the Day: Also Alastair Beacom as it came to light that, when he arrived late to training on Wednesday, instead of getting out onto the pitch to join his teammates (as he is now VERY aware he should have done!) he turned and left.