At a cold, wet Limavady on Saturday, Coleraine won and secured a bonus point in the local league derby match.
The visitors recovered from a first minute shock which saw Limavady cross the line for five points straight from the off. Thereafter Coleraine were dominant and the final score of 5-37 was enough to claim that valuable bonus point, as the Bannsiders look to redress their miserable start to the league season.
Speaking after the match, coach Richard Kernohan was well pleased with his side’s efforts. He said: “It was a very strong performance and to secure a bonus point was very important.
“It was a total team performance, the forwards and backs all playing really well and sticking to the game plan. They were able to adopt changing tactics and act on what was said from the sideline as the game developed.
“Brian Cochrane scoring three tries, and Tommy Van Wyk getting two, showed we can play out wide. But it was a total team performance. Now we put the win behind us and focus on the next game.
“The squad are starting to really gel together, on and off the field. We have set specific targets and today we met one of those.
“Now we are going to focus on the next three weeks, starting on Thursday evening. Ballymoney under lights will be a big match for both sides and it will be a big test of character for us.
“We are really going to relish the Ballymoney game and we will be looking to make the most of the chance to play them at home and under lights. Hopefully we will have the usual strong support there cheering us on.”
On Saturday the Limavady men put up an early marker and stormed over the Coleraine line within the first minute of the game. Coleraine were unable to stop the tide and the try was always on. The conversion was just off-target and the Roe men were on a high.
Coleraine soon regrouped and following a patient build up Michael Griffith made a useful break before off-loading to Tommy Van Wyk. He found space and sprinted for the line and five points with nine minutes on the clock. Griffith was on kicking duties and bounced the ball off the left post to pick up the extras.
Five minutes later a frantic Limavady defence yielded a penalty and then got sent back another ten metres for dissent, setting Griffith up with a short kick in front of the posts. The three points were secured.
The first of Brian Cochrane’s tries came on 20 minutes. Jonny Henderson made a strong break on the wing passing to Van Wyk and then on to a storming Cochrane for the try. The conversion attempt was just left of the posts.
Ten minutes later, Cochrane was again centre stage. The ball was moved swiftly across the backline and Cochrane cut a great line through the defence to score out wide. Again the conversion drifted just wide.
As the half drew to a close Limavady mounted a concerted attack on the Coleraine lines and the visitors had to dig deep in defence. A well worked overlap for Limavady seemed destined for a try but a spilt ball in the final pass spoiled that.
The half-time score was Limavady 5 Coleraine 20
With ten minutes of the second half gone Cochrane romped home for his third try of the day. Moving at pace from inside Coleraine territory he chipped over the Limavady defence and won the race to control the ball, kicking on and touching down for the points. The conversion fell just short.
David Andrews replaced Griffith and Jefferson came on for David Ferguson. The Coleraine dominance continued.
Andrews was impressive when 23 minutes into the half he took possession after Coleraine won a five metre lineout. Using his superior strength he charged through three Limavady defenders and scored under the posts, following that up with a successful conversion.
As the match drew to a close Cochrane managed to keep the ball alive in the centre of the park, making a decisive break before passing to Van Wyk. He was not going to be stopped, shrugged off the defensive tackles and scored. The conversion fell just short.
In fading light and driving rain and sleet, the final whistle blew and the score stood at Limavady 5 Coleraine 37, a bonus point for Coleraine but disappointment for the Limavady squad.
Coleraine now move on to Thursday’s match under lights against Ballymoney and a chance to avenge the result from earlier in the season. After that, and a short Christmas break, there is the Junior Cup final on December 28 at Ravenhill – but as the coach said, the focus is firmly on the Ballymoney match for now.
Also on Saturday, in the Crawford Cup, Coleraine Seconds trounced Donaghadee 49-7 as they continue to enjoy a successful season.
Coleraine First XV: A Stirling, D Ferguson (Jefferson), A Gaston, R Cochrane, J Gault, R Gibson, A Neely, S Douglas, P Roxborough, M Griffith (Andrews), D Orr, T Van Wyk, S Simpson, J Henderson, B Cochrane. Subs: S Jefferson, D Andrews
Match Stats
Starting team
1 A Stirling
2 David Ferguson
3 Aaron Gaston
4 Johnny Gault
5 Richard Cochrane
6 Ryan Gibson
7 Andrew Neeley
8 Stephen Douglas
9 Paul Roxbourough
10 Michael Griffith
11 David Orr
12 Tommy Van Wyk
13 Stuart Simpson
14 Johnny Henderson
15 Brian Cochrane
Subs Played
16 Stephen Jefferson
17 David Andrews
Score summary
Time Player Score
10 Tommy Van Wyk Try
11 Michael Griffith Conversion
15 Michael Griffith Penalty
25 Brian Cochrane Try
35 Brian Cochrane Try
50 Brian Cochrane Try
65 David Andrews Try
66 David Andrews Conversion
72 Tommy Van Wyk Try
