Junior League 4, Ballymoney 3XV v Limavady 2XV, Kilraughts Road, Ballymoney, 5th January 2013
Limavady 2XV restarted their Junior 4 league fixtures after a 4 week break away to Ballymoney 3XV who were their last fixture at home in December. Just as the match was about to start the rain came down and with the swirling wind playing conditions dramatically deteriorated.
Limavady started with the strong wind on their backs and secured a penalty after 5 minutes with a further penalty after 7 minutes, which McNickle missed. On 10 minutes after good pressure from Limavady, Ballymoney were forced to clear their lines and kicked to touch inside their 22. From the lineout Adam Faulkner was lifted and took clean ball, which was moved from scrumhalf, Ross Parkhill to Greg Jordan, who supplied an excellent miss pass for McNickle to run onto and score in the right corner. McNickle converted his own try to give Limavady a 10 – 0 lead
Limavady continued to dominate and pressurise the Ballymoney line and on 21 minutes after a number of pick and goes Adam Faulkner lunged towards the line and at full stretch touched down to the left of the posts. McNickle put his conversion attempt just wide of the posts. On 27 minutes McNickle was again over in the right corner diving in for his second try of the day in what was a copycat try of his earlier try after receiving another long miss pass from Jordan. Again the conversion was put wide of the posts with the increasing wind taking it’s toll.
The first half ended abruptly with an unfortunate head injury (suspected concussion) to Ballymoney’s Curtis Montgomery who after receiving medical treatment on the pitch was conveyed to hospital by ambulance. We wish him a speedy recovery. HT 5-20
The second half reconvened after some 20 minutes with Limavady defending their 20 points to nil lead into a strong increasing head wind. Ballymoney who were now down to 14 men started the half strongly taking advantage of Limavady’s handling mistakes and the wind on their backs. After 10 minutes Ballymoney scored a well deserved try to the left off the posts after Limavady missed a number of first time tackles. Ballymoney’s conversion was missed and Limavady had their lead cut to 20 points to 5. A couple of minutes later Ballymoney were awarded a penalty inside the Limavady 22, which they opted to kick and missed.
Limavady eventually started to pick-up their game and cut out silly errors caused mainly due to the fact that they were trying to force the game rather than taking advantage of their extra man. On 20 minutes after good work from the forwards, Parkhill again kicked the ball into space up the right wing, which was chased and caught this time by Simon Logan who fed the ball inside to Adam Faulkner who cut through the Ballymoney defence from about 15 meters out scoring in the right corner. McNickle again missed his kick and the score was back to a 20 point lead for the Limavady men.
Then on 29 minutes after good Limavady pressure the ball was secured by the forwards and moved by Parkhill out through the backs. Jordan controlled the play as he did throughout the match and passed the ball from the base of a ruck to Adam Faulkner who again powered his way over the line for his hat trick of tries for the afternoon. The subsequent conversion was missed.
Limavady ended the game continuing to pressure the Ballymoney defence and on occasions whilst attempting the more adventurous play may have had more success keeping the ball in hand and taking advantage of a tiring Ballymoney defence and the extra man. FT 5-30
Limavady won the match 30 points to 5 and secured another 2 valuable league points to kick start the second half of their season. Whilst they keep their promotion prospects alive they will have to shake off the Christmas turkey next week and raise their game as they enter the business end of the season if they want to realise their true potential. Adam Faulkner was nominated man of the match and will undoubtedly be missed after next week when he goes to work in London. Greg Jordan who ran the game well from out half and Pearce McNickle (Captain) at fullback were the pick of the backs with most of the forwards having a good game.
Butler Shield Round 1, Cavan 2XV v Limavady 3XV Swellan, County Cavan, Ireland, 5th January 2013
The 3XV travelled to County Cavan this past weekend to take on Cavan RFC 2XV, in the first round of the Butler Shield. The visitors took an early lead through the boot of Richard Keys, but Cavan were soon level. The Breffni then took the lead, with a great score, but the roesiders evened things up before interval. Keys with the conversion after a John Semple try. HT 10-10
The second half was a different story, and it wasn’t long before the home team scored their second try. After two more penalties, Cavan led 23 -10. Limavady gave them some hope going into the last 10 with a interception try from Richard Robinson, again with Keys converting. The men from the Lake County had the last say with a break away converted score. FT 30-17
