Academy 1s v Limivady 1s q1
Conditions – Summer is OVER!
But Academy Found Some Sunshine, with a historic victory racking up their first ever victory in Q1. Well done guys!
Despite the conditions both teams began positively and tried to move the ball and make the best of it, endeavouring to play some running open rugby.
The first 15 minutes were tight exchanges, neither defense being able to be unlocked. Also the first 15 minutes we saw some good kicking from Andy Kirkpatrick.
First blood came to Academy on 17 minutes when and inside break from kirkpatrick led to a nice off load to Chris McCarey, McCarey moved the ball right to left to Stevie Stewart who scored under the posts.
Chris Cooper added the conversion.
A period fo Limivady domination followed for 10-15 minutes but academys defence was not to be broken.
An excellent game to watch. Very fast paced with a continuous battle in the middle third of the park with sustained pressure from both sides.
We managed to get 109 photos of this game you can view them here – CLICK HERE
In the first 15 minutes Limivady pressure was turned over by Academy inside the Academy 22 on a number of occassions. A maul was turned over and Academy had a a maul which went from their 22 to half way.
Scoreline half time was 10 – 0 with Chris cooper kicking well.
Academy started the second half strongly, Norman Carson looking dangerous early in the second half.
Limivady kicked a penalty from an infringement at lineout making it 10-3.
Academy continued to offer no way through for limivady, successfully applying the basics, defence, turnover and ultimately domination ending in a deserved victory.
one penalyty in the 2nd half from 40 yards out bringing the score 13-3
There was a superb push from Academy right to left breaking through the left Kyle Dobbin knocking on with the line at his merci.
Andy Crowe was tackled into touch just short of the line a move from the scrum, after good work from Mort & McCarey.
The game finished 13-3
Academy II XV v Ballyclare III XV
Continuous rain meant that flowing rugby was never on the cards but both teams battled hard.
In a close fought contest, the only scores in the first half were and exchange of penalties.
After 12 minutes for Clare and 25mins for Academy
At this point the srums went uncontested as the Academy prop Gareth Douglas retired with a shoulder injury.
Academy were reduced to thirteen men at the start of the 2nd half with their number 8 Neil Saunders also retiring with an injured shoulder.
Again another exchange of penalties ballyclare 43 mins and Academy 54 minutes kept the match all square.
We managed to get 3 photos of this game you can view them here
We managed to get 3 photos of this game you can view them here – CLICK HERE
Academy out half Phil Moffat missed a chance to give academy the lead when his penalty attempt bounced of the cross bar on 62 minutes.
Academy defended well with 13 men but the ref showed them no lienancy when he red carded Academy prop Johnny Allen for speaking out of turn.
Ballylcare superior numbers eventually told scoring two tries in the last 5 minutes to win 6-18
Academy III XV v Malone V XV
An excellent game to watch with a superb mix of youngsters and more seasoned veterans. The veterans were delighted with numerous opportunities to vent their frustations on a cold and wet day. Needless to say several heated exchanges involving 8-10 players resulted in some breathing space as order was returned.
Some good entertaining rugby throughout this game with well worked moves from the scrums resulting in various scores.
We managed to get 69 photos of this game you can view them here – CLICK HERE
These guys love their rugby and it is a credit to Academy now fielding 3 teams and Malone for fielding at least 4 sides this season.
There cannot be a better way to spend a wet cold day – some may argue with that after returning home thoroughly soaked on the sidelines.
