Kukri Qualifying 2 Limavady 1XV v Randalstown 1XV John Hunter Memorial Ground, Limavady
Limavady finally got their first win of the season with a steely performance against Randalstown in the Kukri Qualifying League 2 game at the John Hunter Memorial Ground. The visitors got the first points on the board when scrum half J. O’Kane converted a penalty in front of the posts.
The Roesiders struct back straight away, mauling their way into the 22 with ferocious aplomb. It was a soft penalty that squared things up. Pearse McNickle, making his first appearance of the season, slotted home right before the clock ticked over to 10 minutes. Limavady continued to dominate, making mince meat of the Randalstown scrum, which they themselves will have been disappointed with.
The next opportunity came on 15 minutes when “Town” conceded another penalty. McNickle stepped up again in near perfect conditions, and both touch judges raised their flag to indicate the conversion but referee decided that the ball hadn’t dissected the uprights, much to the bemusement and confusion of the touch judges, fans and players alike.
From the resulting 22 drop out Limavady regained control of the ball and the game, and once again came surging forward through Stuart Houston, whose passion and heart shone through all day. Houston was returning to the team at hooker for the first time in 2 seasons, after filling in at various positions including scrum half for the 2XV. Another infringement at the ruck gave McNickle another attempt at goal, this time the ball fell right between the sticks, the referee had no hesitation in giving the 3 points with 20 minutes remaining until halftime.
The visitors tried to hit back, but Limavady where as aggressive in the tackle has they had been in attack. Perry Semple, Willy McCollum and captain Brian Hamilton leading the way. Another attack seen Hamilton claw the man down, get to his feet and rob Randalstown of the ball. Centre pairing Chris Hunter and Stuart Hull, pierced through the vulnerable visitors defence producing a memorable soccer like “one-two” before being caught metres before the line. Again Randalstown were punished at the breakdown for coming in at the side of the ruck. McNickle stepped up, but pushed just wide.
From the restart, Kiwi outhalf Gregory Jordan, put in a wonderful kick which was chased down by mammoth speedster Jonny King. Semple, Hamilton and prop forward Clive Scott where also quick to react and Limavady turned the ball over in their favour 5 metres out. Scrumhalf Adam Kyle, who is his first season with Limavady after falling out of favour with City of Derry, was also quick to react and spotted a gap and went over the line with 2 minutes left on the clock before half-time. McNickle missed the resulting conversion, but was given a further chance with a penalty on 40 minutes, which he struck fantastically well but again was pushed just wide. HT 11-3
The home side stuck much to their game plan in the second. A quick penalty was abruptly stopped when A. Fleck tackled Brian Hamilton. The referee decided that 10 minutes in the sin bin would stop his reoffending.
Although Limavady dominated they weren’t able to take advantage of the extra man, and when Fleck returned to the field the home side had a man of their own sent off, John Purcell, who had been awesome in the engine room, penalised for a high tackle in the centre of the park.
The high intensity of game led to a lot of stoppages for injured players, which meant that Randalstown couldn’t get a grip of the game, even with the extra man. Hard tackling from Richard McCollum and the tackling machine Perry Semple cooed any expression of interest from the visitors.
With minutes left on Purcell’s sin bin, the all blacks scrum suffered, a few choice words from the inspirational Houston fixed this, and powerhouse winger Jonny King moved into the engine room to take over the second row duties. Houston’s words reverberated around the team, and a great break from Stuart Hull left Limavady on the front foot again. Out Half Jordan put through a fantastic kick and King almost got to the ball before the retaliating “Town” full back M. Smith.
The visitors out half P. Laverty took the resulting 22 drop out. His unfortunate slice kick fell kindly into the hands of winger Richard Keys who scored with a try in the corner. McNickle found his form with the most difficult kick of the afternoon giving Limavady a 18-3 lead with 10 minutes left to play.
Although Randalstown pushed for the losing bonus point, the tireless roesiders defence held out, giving them a well deserved first win of the season.
Next week Limavady 1XV host Ballynahinch 2XV in the conference league, and will be hoping for a performance to match what they showed against a strong Randalstown XV.
Junior League Section 4 Academy 2XV v Limavady 2XV J.C. Picken Ground, Roughfort, Mallusk, Newtownabbey 20th October 2012
Limavady 2XV travelled to Mallusk to take on a very useful side Academy side, seeking revenge for their 1XV relegating Limavady 1XV in the penultimate game of last season.
The visitors started superbly, going into a 12 nil lead with only a few minutes left of the first half. But as all rugby fans know, playing to the whistle is key. With 37 minutes gone, the all blacks heads where already in the changing room and Academy scored 2 easy try’s leaving the scores tied at the interval.
The roesiders again took a lead in the second half going 18-12 up through 2 penalties from Ritchie, but yet again it was to be the Old Boys’ day with a late converted try giving them a 19-18 win.
It will be a very tough lesson for Limavady who are now three wins from five, losing their last two. With only one game in October they will look to pick themselves up for their upcoming matches in November against Lisburn 3XV (A), Banbridge 4XV (H) and Grosvenor 3XV (H).
Minor League (North) Tír Chonaill 1XV v Limavady 3XV Carrickfinn, Kincasslagh, County Donegal, Ireland 20th October 2012
Limavady 3XV enjoyed their seventh win of the season, to remain unbeaten and stay on top the the Minor League (North).
The Donegal men took an early lead with a penalty, but Limavady cancelled out the lead through the left boot of outhalf Alan Steen. The roesiders continued to display the free flowing rugby they have enjoyed in previous games, and it was this style that allowed Johnny McKeegan in for the first try of the afternoon. Steen obliged with the conversion, and kicked a further penalty in between a Tír Chonaill penalty and half time. HT13-6
Although the score indicated a tight first half, there had been a lot of missed opportunities, but the all blacks made amend when Ciarán Ferris went over the whitewash after a great offload from Ronan McNickle. Steen converted, and shortly after nailed an impressive long penalty.
The impressive Steen then got a try of his own after a great carry from Adrian Wallace, who earned special praise from his captain Neill Moore after the game. Steen converted. The home side responded with a penalty of their own, but it was too little, too late. Stuart Roddy, who also garnered praise from his captain, scored under the posts. Steen again converted.
There was still enough time for one last hurrah from Limavady and Ferris got his second of the game. Steen missed his only kick of the afternoon, and tried to make up for it with an outrageous drop goal attempt minutes later, which had the distance but no accuracy. FT 42-9.
