Kukri Qualifying League 2, Larne 1XV v Limavady 1XV
Main Road, Glynn, Larne, 10rd November 2012
Limavady continued their winning ways with the third win in as many games at Larne at the weekend. In a tight game bother sides traded early penalties through the boots of Limavady fullback Steven Kilburn and Larne outhalf Jonny Milligan, but leave the scores at 6-6 a quarter of the way through the game.
The visitors slightly edged the first half and they finally got the try they deserved when winger Richard Robinson, returning to the side for the first time this season, came off his wing and picked up the loose ball on halfway, speeding home under the posts on 23 minutes. Steven Kilburn’s fine kicking form continued, easily slotting home in front of the posts.
Both sides continued to wrestle for an advantage, and Limavady will be disappointed not to have had more of a lead, but it was Larne’s inspirational second row and captain James McCluggage who powered across the line on 34 minutes. Milligan couldn’t level the scores missing the conversion by quiet some distance.
With minutes remaining of the half the Roesiders wanted to get to halftime with a better advantage. This came when scrum half Adam Kyle, dinked through a lovely kick over the defence and Chris Hunter battled to get to the ball first, which he managed to do, stretching out to ground the ball down. Steven Kilburn missed the resulting conversion with a close effort from the touchline. HT 11-18
The real battle started in the second half. Both sides running hard, and defending equally well. Perry Semple, who was captaining the side after the late withdrawal of regular skipper Brian Hamilton, having another brilliant day tackling and also eager to upset Larne at the breakdown. In attack Limavady looked dangerous through centre pair Hunter and Stuart Hull, Purcell and the McCollum pair also making great hard yards. It was Larne who broke the second half deadlock with a penalty from the outhalf Milligan.
The all blacks responded well, and intricate passing from Hull let Greg Jordan skip up the line and score in the corner from close range. Outrageously the referee ignored the touch judges decision and took the players back for a lineout, indicating to the dismay of the visiting supporters, coaching staff and players that Jordan had put his foot in touch. Larne broke away from their own twenty-two getting caught deep inside Limavady’s half. The roesiders giving away a penalty at the breakdown. Milligan stepped up again but missed narrowly.
With the try that never was still in Limavady’s minds, Larne started to creep back into the game. Limavady defence held strong and after a few words of encouragement from the bench, created a counterattack led by strong running once more from Hull. From the resulting ruck, Steven Kilburn ran from deep at pace, and danced past the last Larne defender for his second in the last two games, and the visitors third of the afternoon. He converted his own score to give Limavady a 25-14 lead.
The remainder of the game continued to be a dogged affair. Larne the only side scoring, again a penalty through the boot of Milligan. Limavady managed to get 2 men sin binned, both for their work at the breakdown, and both Alan Kilburn and Richard McCollum were baffled by the decision when they were shown the card. FT 17-25
