Junior League 3
Harlequins 3XV v Limavady 2XV
Deramore Park, Belfast
7th September 2013
After gaining promotion last season Limavady 2nd XV opened their new season with a fixture against a strong Harlequins 3rd XV in Belfast and came away with a fine victory winning 30-20.
The game didn’t start well for the visitors and after only 5 mins the impressive Harlequins centre muscled his way over for an early score which was duly converted by their outside half who was the best back on display the whole afternoon. Down 7 nil the writing looked on the wall but to their credit the Limavady team bounced back forcing Harlequins to concede a penalty which the reliable Robinson converted to reduce the deficit to 4 points. This quickly increased to 7 points as Harlequins were awarded a penalty following poor work by the Limavady pack in securing kick off ball on the restart.
Back came Limavady immediately from the restart and now starting to play an open game soon put the home defence under real pressure following a great handling movement by the backs and direct running from Brolly in the centre. This set up great field position and from the breakdown hooker Millar picked up and side stepped his way in from the 22 to score a great try which was duly converted by reliable Robinson to level the scores at 10-10.
This score was the tonic Limavady needed and following great work by the forwards at the breakdown the ball was moved quickly through the backs giving Purcell the opportunity to show his paces and he did just that by leaving the defence in his wake to score under the posts to leave the score 17-10 to Limavady after the conversion from Robinson and at half time.
Second half saw Harlequins come out strongly and they regained the initiative almost immediately when their centre again showed his strength to muscle his way into the corner for a score with the conversion to be made from a difficult angle by their out half to level the scores. Back came Limavady again from the restart and following a series of pick and drives where Scott was prominent Limavady won a penalty and Robinson converted to leave the score 20-17.
From the restart Limavady again made a hash of capturing the ball and gave away a needless penalty which was converted to level the scores at 20-20.
With 10 minutes to go and away from home you would expect the home side to gain momentum but the reverse happened as the Lims could sense victory. A great handling movement on the half way line involving Murray,Parkhill & McLaughlin managed to release Purcell on the wing and he showed his desire to score by running through 2 defenders and scorching in from 50 metres and with the conversion to follow from Robinson Limavady led 27-20.
There was to be no way back from Harlequins and a penalty from Robinson in the final minutes secured a great victory for Limavady in their first outing in the new campaign.
Up front Scott& Millar in the front row stood out as did Millar & Semple in the back row. Behind the pack Murray and half back partner Parkhill did well to keep the side going forward while centres McLaughlin and Brolly were excellent in defence and showed great deft touches in attack. Purcell had a real strong game on the wing and deserved his 2 scores while at fullback Robinson was supreme and had an excellent game exuding confidence.
Well done to all 15 lads everyone of you had a part to play in this fabulous victory.
Preseason Friendly
Civil Service v Limavady 1XV
Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Belfast
7th September 2013
Civil Service 1st XV 7-44 Limavady 1st XV
Limavady visited Stormont on Saturday past in their final challenge game before next weeks Junior Cup tie in Enniskillen. It was a final chance for the players to get rid of any cobwebs and also for the management to try out some players in different positions.
Debuts were handed to Andy McQueen on the right wing and Ben Wilson at scrum-half. Steven Kilburn was also in new territory as he was moved from full back to out half.
It didn’t take long before the visitors got on the score sheet. Kilburn feed the on-running Hull who feed Stuart Roddy and from halfway the big powerful winger beat three men to score under the posts. Kilburn added the conversion. More pressure followed from the men from the North West and Service were punished for holding on after a tackle. Steven Kilburn kicked his second of the day and the score line was 10-0 after just 7mins.
But the home side were not going to throw in the towel this easy and here on the Qualifying Four side took the game to the visitors. They were rewarded for their efforts with a fine try on 36 minutes. A break in midfield saw the Civil Service No. 13 race in to score under the posts. The full back added the extras and this left the score at 10-7.
This was the shot in the arm that Limavady needed and for the final minutes of the half they played with the intensity that would be expected of a Section 2 team. Their efforts were rewarded on the stroke of half time when Steven Kilburn kicked his second penalty of the day, giving the visitors a 7-13 half time lead.
The hosts started the half much sharper and the scent of an upset was certainly in the air. After just 2 minutes of the half they had a chance to cut the gap to just three points, but their full back narrowly sent his penalty attempt wide of the target.
This proved to be the turning point as from the re-start Limavady kicked deep into the Service half. Following a line-out Kilburn made another break towards goal. He then popped to second row John Purcell who stormed over from just inside the 22. Kilburn added the conversion and then a penalty four minutes laters after the home side were blown up for hands in a ruck.
At 23-7 Limavady started to up the tempo and on 62mins scored a third try. Ricky McCollum stole a Civil Service line out and quick ball through the hands in the back line saw debutant Andy McQueen finish in the corner. Steven Kilburn kept up his 100per cent record for the day with another fine conversion.
On 74mins came try number four. Captain Bryan Hamilton won line out ball and from 10meters out and after a powerful drive, tight head prop for the day Iain Campbell touched down. Yet again Steven Kilburn added the extras.
Then right in the 80th minute Limavady completed the scoring. A break from Roddy and full back Alan Robinson was halted just inside the ’22’. Young scrum-half Ben Wilson decided to go the blindside where he feed John Purcell went over for his second try of the day.
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