Kukri Qualifying League 2 Limavady 1XV v Larne 1XV John Hunter Memorial Ground, Limavady
16th February 2013
Limavady got back to winning ways with a fierce battle against the leagues bottom side Larne. But it was the visitors who started the brightest, stretching the all blacks defence but couldn’t gain any further ground. A penalty from Larne outhalf Brian Cawlett went close but was unable to steer it through the posts.
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The Roesiders then restarted from the 22, and the forwards did well to recycle the ball, a kick and chase from scrum half Ross Parkhill put Larne full back under great pressure and Parkhill charged down the impending kick, and Chris Hunter was there to pick up and go under the posts for the opening score of the afternoon. Outhalf Greg Jordan added the conversation.
To their credit Larne came right back, 2 penalties from Cawlett made it a one point game before 20 minutes. They then took the lead on 24 minutes when Limavady prop, John Harbinson got sin binned for his constant infringements at the breakdown. Cawlett struck a wonderful penalty at an awkward angle.
This struck more urgency into the home side who dominated for the remainder of the half but where unable to make it count, although Larne scrum half Ricky McIlherion and second row Matt Crampsie were sin binned late in the half for separate incidents at the break downs. HT 7-9
Against 13 men Limavady turn on more pressure, although their second try came from a Larne attack, a defensive kick and chase fell kindly for centre Stuart Hull and electric pace from number 8 Johnny King meant he was on hand in support and powered past the last defender under the posts, Jordan gain converted.
Limavady went 8 points clear when Jordan nailed a penalty. For most of the match neither side had 15 men on the field. Persistent errors at breakdowns left the referee Christopher Wilson with little other choice but to banish his yellow. With 20 minutes left on the clock, Larne winger Brian Blair was caught on the wrong side of the ruck, and Limavady’s Harbinson took exception to this and tried “rucking” him out of the way. The result meant that the yellow was out again, Blair for 10 minutes, but more unfortunate was Harbinson’s second yellow which resulted in him missing the rest of the game for the use of excessive force.
With both sides down to 14 and the game in the balance, the wonderful Stuart Hull charged down a Larne tactical kick, but more impressive than the charge down was that Hull held onto the ball, stayed on his feet, sprinted 70 yards, and slid under the posts. Jordan again converting, and will be thankful that all his kicks were in front the posts.
Larne, who deserved more form the game pushed to get within bonus range and a converted try from James McCluggage gave them hope. But it wasn’t until a Limavady mistake in the 80th minute gave them their point. A penalty inside the home sides 22 only needed to find touch to end the game. Limavady thought that the winning bonus point was in their sights and decided to tap and go. Larne were able to turn the ball over and a mazy run from winger Mathew Agnew gave Larne a deserved and crucial losing bonus point. Converted by Cawlett. FT 24-23
