Limavady Grammar 13 – 7 Banbridge Academy. We have two reports for this match the first is from Banbridge.
Banbridge Academy 1st XV crashed out of the Schools Cup on Saturday in a closely fought and entertaining third round game away to Limavady Grammar. The final score of 13 – 7 to Limavady is evidence of the closeness of the game and right up to the final whistle the Academy were in with a chance of snatching victory and progressing in the cup.
The game, played on a firm frosty pitch, couldn’t have started better for the Academy as straight from the kick off they put Limavady under pressure. After a few strong forward drives the ball popped out from a ruck and scrum half Hugo Harbinson pounced on it and raced through the close defence to score under the posts. Team Captain Shandon Scott added the conversion and gave the Academy a 7-0 lead after only three minutes. The rest of the first half was a tight affair with Limavady dominating the territory through a strong kicking game but Banbridge having most of the possession albeit in their own half of the pitch. Midway through the half a well struck penalty gave Limavady their first points but it looked like that would be their only reward as the Academy defence snuffed out all their try scoring opportunities. However, right on the half time whistle, the referee awarded Limavady another penalty and they reacted quickest tapping and running and squeezing over the line before the Academy could organise their defence. The added conversion gave Limavady a 10-7 half time lead.
The second half began as the first ended and Limavady added a further three points with another penalty. This made the score 13-7 to Limavady. At this point however, the game changed. The Academy looked the fitter side and as Limavady began to tire Banbridge started pressing hard for the winning score. On two occasions it looked like that score would come but errors with the final pass meant neither chance was taken and though the Academy pressed on it was in vain as the Limavady defence held solid and secured them a close, but on balance of play, probably deserved victory.
All the Academy players deserve credit for a fine performance but Shandon Scott was the pick of the Academy backs and Andrew McConnell and Kallan Martin worked tirelessly in the pack.
The Academy now enter the bowl competition and they travel to Larne Grammar on Saturday 6th February to play their Quarter-final with high hopes of making an impact in this competition.
Report: Brian Leslie
And now from Limavady’s point of view.
Schools’ Cup rugby brings an energetic and excitable atmosphere to every school involved in the competition. LGS played host to Banbridge Academy in the third round of the Cup at home, on Ballyquin Road.
After a fantastic season so far, LGS were looking to build upon this with a victory to see them through to the next round. However they started off on the backfoot when Banbridge forwards secured the ball from the kick-off, and drove their team forward. A gap was found in the LGS defence and exploited, as Banbridge scored under the posts, and consequently took a 7-0 lead.
LGS were only spurred on by this, as they begin to get a grip on the game, and claw their way back, with a penalty taking the score to 7-3. The pressure was building on Banbridge, as scrum half Peter Wilson kicked into the corner, and returning captain Matthew Haslett chased and won back the ball, and as support arrived, prop forward, Philip Moon drove over the line, and fly-half, Nathan Barr successfully converted to give LGS a 10-7 lead at the break.
Limavady continued the second half the stronger of the two teams, and continued to press for points, so as to extend their lead. Barr did this by slotting over a penalty from the 10m line. The rest of the game was competed fairly evenly, and in a spirited manner. Banbridge threatened to upset the home crowd, but the Limavady defence stood strong, and held out, to much jubilation from the supporters, who will no doubt be out again in full voice for the next round against Ballymena Academy in two weeks.
Report: Matthew Haslett
