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Pics (c) Steve Haslett
Match Report
Randalstown v Limavady
Saturday 9th March 2019
With the race for the automatic promotion spot in Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship
Division 2 really hotting up with four sides still in with a chance of clinching that place
Limavady travelled this week to take on fourth placed Randalstown.
Randalstown started the sharper and got the first points of the afternoon when their
winger won the race for the loose ball to dive in and score. With the conversion
successful this gave them a seven point lead. Limavady gradually got back into the
game and bit by bit they managed to get ahead. A try from Jamie Millar, converted
by Peter Wilson drew the sides level on the twenty minute mark before Peter added
a further two penalties to stretch the lead out to 13.7 at half time.
Immediately from the restart Limavady applied the pressure and were rewarded with
a well worked try from Daniel Irvine in the corner. With the conversion narrowly
missed Limavady now had an eleven point cushion, from which it would seem that
they would push on and win the game. However Randalstown had other ideas. The
home forwards took control of the game and a lack lustre Limavady side succumbed
to a well drilled Randalstown side who simply denied Limavady possession of the
ball. Penalties were exchanged by both sides before referee, Colin Stanley, awarded
Randalstown a penalty try following an infringement at a five metre scrum.
Randalstown out-half scored another penalty to close the gap to just one point. With
the game going into the final minute and Limavady in possession of the ball all they
needed to do was to play out time. However a bad decision in the final seconds by a
Limavady forward when he tried to play the ball with his hands in a ruck led to the
referee awarding Randalstown another penalty. With the game now resting on the
final kick of the game the Randalstown out-half kept his cool to slot the ball between
the sticks to give his side the victory.
This was a hard lesson for Limavady as the game was really their’s to lose but
somehow they managed to achieve it. An increased effort will be needed next week
when they welcome near neighbours , Ballymoney, to the John Hunter Memorial
Grounds if they are to stay in contention in the promotion race.
Final score Randalstown 23 Limavady 21
Limavady Vice Captain Stuart Simpson on the attack against Randalstown
Prop Forward Clive Scott is stalled by Randalstown’s defence
Limavady Number 8 Daniel Irvine who scored Limavady’s second try
Limavady’s young Hooker Bryn Davies cleans out his opponent from the ruck
Limavady Centre Jamie Millar in action
Randalstown forwards combine to stop the attack of Limavady second Row Luke Montgomery
Limavady powerhouse Michael Rice stays strong against Randalstown
Limavady Second Row Luke Montgomery attempts to break the Randalstown defence
Limavady Hooker Bryn Davies uses his pace and strength to cut through Randalstown’s defence
Bryn Davies is stopped just short of the line
Limavady Prop Forward Rory Squires on the attack
Centre Jamie Millar used his strength to finish off a try for Limavady against Randalstown
Jamie Millar attempts to stop the run of his opposite number
Limavady Captain Jody McMurray makes a break
Limavady Fullback Matthew Haslett draws the defender before offloading to his winger
Winger Mark Woods makes a quick break for Limavady
Former Ulster Lock Gary Longwell and current Randalstown Coach dishes out instructions to his team from the sideline
Peter Wilson kicked well for Limavady against Randalstown
Limavady Hooker Bryn Daviestakes on Randalstown’s Centre
Daniel Irvine touches down for Limavady’s second try at the start of the second half
Peter Wilson Limavady’s Scrumhalf and kicking machine
Former Ulster Lock Gary Longwell, current Randalstown Coach watches from the sidelines accompanied by Willie Allen 1st Xv Team Manager
Matthew Haslett Limavady Fullback brings Randalstown’s Scrumhalf to ground
Scrumhalf Peter Wilson spreads the ball wide
Jody McMurray on the attack for Limavady
