Qualifiying League Section 3
Limavady 83 Lurgan 0
For the third week in a row Limavady ran in thirteen tries, ad for the third week in a row broke the eighty point barrier. Wins against Letterkenny and Civil Service were expected given the different leagues both were playing in last year, but many were expecting the men from Mid-Ulster to give Paul O’Kane’s charges their first proper test of the season. After all the Pollock Park side arrived high on confidence following an empahtic 39-3 victory in their last game.
Just before kick off the homeside were dealt a major blow when winger Matty Haslett pulled a hamstring ruling him out of the game, and also for a few more. Despite having a broken thumb, Robert Lamberton was able to step in at the last minute.
And he wasted no time in making an impact on the game when he touched down in the corner for try number one following fine approach play by Luke Faulkner and Peter Wilson. On 8mins captain Daniel Irvine made a break an was supported by one of his back row partners Jack McCool, who finished under the posts. On 13mins John Purcell set off on one of his trademark runs from deep in his own half. He combined with prop John McCollum who off loaded to Greg Jordan, who inturn fed Luke Faulkner. Out half Faulkner released winger Stewart Roddy who charged down the left handside and despite the best efforts of the covering Lurgan backs, Roddy went over for the first score of the day. Greg Jordan kicked his third conversion of the day for a 21-0 lead. It got worse for the visitors soon after Lurgan were reduced to 14 men when one of their wingers fell awkwardly when going for a loose ball.
The biggest cheer of the day came after 27mins when John Purcell punched a hole in the Lurgan defence and touched down for try number four. Fitting that on the day he celebrated his 30th birthday that the big man secured the try bonus point. With this secured, the homeside relaxed and strated to express themselves by playing some fast flowing rugby and in the final 11mins of the half they ran in a further four tries through Jamie Mo Miller, Peter Wilson, Daniel Irvine and on the stroke of half tight head prop John McCollum touched down. Greg Jordan closed the half with an impressive stat of seven successful kicks from eight attempts, thus making the half time score Limavady 54 Lurgan 0.
A steel at a lineout two minutes into the second half lead to Robert Lamberton scoring his second score of the day, and following a barnstorming run of 40 meters Jack McCool get his second on the forty fifth minute. The extra man was beginning to tell and with the Lurgan legs also tiring, gaps were appearing all over the Lurgan defence. Jamie Mo. Miller was the third player to claim a double when he touched down for try number 11 following yet another steel from a Lurgan lineout.
On the hour mark it was the other Jamie Miller who scored following some powerful work from the forwards. Sam Mackey looked certain to get the touch down at the base of the scrum following a five metre drive, but the nippy scrum half was just that little bit sharper when the scrum reached the goal line to claim his first try of the day. On 65 minutes winger Stewart Roddy found himself in the unusal position of provider when he passed to full back Peter Wilson, who showed terrific pace to claim Limavady try number 13 of the day. Shortly afterwards referee Neil Stewart brought proceedings to an end.
Final Score Limavady 83 Lurgan 0
Team P. Wilson, R. Lamberton, Jamie Mo. Miller, G. Jordan, S. Roddy, L. Faulkner, Jamie Miller. C. Scott, J. Blair, J. McCollum, M. Rice, J. Purcell, J. McCool, S. Mackey, D. Irvine.
The seconds made the trip to County Down to play Ballynahinch 5ths, one of the toughest places to go in Ulster rugby. Unfortunately they fell to a 36-24 defeat, but did pick up a try scoring bonus point which keeps them second in Junior League 4.
Next week the 1st XV make the long journey to the Farney County to play Monaghan Town, while the seconds will welcome Armagh thirds to the Roe Valley. Both games will kick off at 2.30pm.
Earlier in the day the under 14’s had their first match of the season when they hosted Instonians in what proved to be a cracking game of rugby. The hosts lead 20-5 at the break, but in the second half the South Belfast lads staged a great fight back and in the end the claimed a 32-29 win.
Training continues every Wednesday at the club for under 14 and 16 players from 7pm. All new players welcome.
