Limavady 1st XV v Academy Sat 21/03/2014
Academy RFC from Belfast were the visitors to the John Hunter Memorial Grounds last Saturday. The North Belfast men are not involved in any of the end of season permutations in Qualifying 2, so the home side were hoping to use this to their advantage as they continue their fight against possible relegation to Qualifying 3.
But the visitors were quick to state their intent and almost scored a try with the first play of the game. A kick through from their out-half Cooper was almost touched down, but winger Richard Robinson just won the race to prevent a score.
Instead it was the home side that opened the scoring on 4mins when the returning Stephen Kilburn kicked a penalty, but Academy responded in kind just two minutes later through their out-half Chris Cooper. Being supported by a strong wind in the first-half, the visitors started to dominate and pinned Limavady back deep in their own half. Limavady’s discipline at the breakdown was starting to prove costly as Cooper brought his tally to nine after 20mins to give the visitors a six point advantage after 20mins.
The home side slowly came back into the game and following some excellent work from the forwards, gave S. Kilburn another penalty opportunity. Stephen showed no signs of any rustiness following his long lay-off and this cut the gap to three points. On the stroke of half-time Academy had a chance to reinstate their six point advantage, but for once Cooper missed the target and at the break the score was Limavady 6 Academy 9.
Despite now playing into a strong breeze, it was Academy who came out brightest after the restart and yet again Limavady were penalised at the breakdown for not rolling away after the tackle. This time Cooper made no mistake and Academy were six in front again. To their credit the home side didn’t panic and were starting to dominate in the scrum and with forwards like Scott, Hunt and Purcell all gaining yards carrying the ball, knew if they stuck to the game plan that they will be duly rewarded for their efforts.
The turning point came on 55mins when Academy’s No 8 was sinned binned. Hoping to take advantage of the numerical advantage Greg Jordan kicked deep in the Academy ’22’. The lineout was won and the ball was kept in the forwards. Academy had no answer to the powerful rolling maul and Marcus McCollum crashed over the line for the games opening try. This cut the gap to one point and then Stephen Kilburn made it a one point lead for Limavady.
There was still 20minutes left on the clock, but the Roesiders dominating both the scrum and lineout, Academy were unable to get into the ‘redzone’ to cause the homeside any panic.
Final Score Limavady 13 Academy 12.
Team. S. Kilburn. R. Robinson. A. Kilburn. C. Hunter. S. Roddy. G. Jordan. J. Millar. C. Scott. I. Campbell. J. McCollum. M. Hunt. M. McCollum. P. Semple. B. Hamilton. J. Purcell.
So four much needed points for Limavady in their fight against possible relegation. The men from the North-West will be keeping a close eye on what is happening at the bottom of AIL 2B with Instonians in a possible relegation play-off and Clogher Valley who are in the AIL Round Robin play-offs.
Next week it’s another home fixture against promotion chasing Omagh. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
Congratulations to our Saracens team who are through to the McCambley Cup final at Ravenhill on 26th April. Cookstown 1st XV await them then. Next week they have a rearranged league game away to Letterkenny 2nds at 2.30pm.
