Lurgan Rugby I XV 21 v Civil Service Rugby I XV 0
Following two heavy defeats in the previous two weekends to Letterkenny (league) and Dromore (Towns’ Cup) Lurgan gave their league campaign a boost with a comfortable win against Civil Service in an otherwise dull and scrappy affair, Writes Paddy Allen.
Lurgan showed a couple of changes to the side with David Whittaker (tight head) coming in for the injured Andrew Mackey (Hamstring) and Aaron Robinson moved back into the second row replacing Connor Mallon with Michael Campbell making up the back row trio of himself Jamie Pedlow and Keith McBride.
In the backline the injured Chris Jenks (Ankle) saw Stephen Nolan move into scrum half from out half and Craig Harrison moving from centre to out half with Grant Martin returning to the midfield to join the impressive Scott Gardiner.
Lurgan got the game underway and Aaron Robinson snatched the kick off from a Civil Service player as Lurgan went on an early attack through John Catney. A kick to the corner by Scott Gardiner put service on the back foot and Lurgan won a line out close to the visitor’s line.
After a few phases of play service conceded a penalty for off side and Stephen Nolan gladly knocked over the simple penalty from in front.
On 23 minutes came the move of the match. From a scrum inside their own half Lurgan moved the ball quickly from the base of the scrum and Gardiner broke through the midfield making a 50 meter dash for the line. He was well supported by man of the match Jamie Pedlow who fed Robinson and on the end of the support line was number 8 Keith McBride who crashed over in the corner for an unconverted try and an 8 – nil lead.
Nolan was on target on the stroke of half time with his second penalty of the game to give his side an 11 – nil lead at the break which could have been so much more had the home side been able to retain possession for longer periods and with the referee letting the visitors get away with hands in the ruck and coming in from the side.
The second half was much the same as Lurgan dominated territory and possession though the final pass or knock on cost them on increasing the score. Nolan landed his third penalty of the afternoon on 59 minutes from wide out on the right and Lurgan continued to batter away at the service defence.
Ten minutes later they did grab their second try of the afternoon. After play was taken up to the 22 the ball was picked up at the base of the ruck by prop David Whittaker and he showed strength to shrug off would be tacklers and power his way over beside the posts from 20 meters for his first try for the 1st XV with Nolan adding the extras for a 21 – nil lead to put the game to bed.
In the closing 10 minutes service tried to get on the scoreboard and they nearly did at the death only for their full back to have a foot in touch close to the Lurgan line.
This win will help Lurgan towards their goal of a top four finish and with another eight games to play a minimum of five or possibly six wins will secure that top four berth.
Team: R Clarke, C Wamsley, G Martin, S Gardiner, J Kingham; C Harrison, S Nolan; G Currie (Capt), G Wickie, D Whittaker, A Robinson, J Catney, M Campbell, J Pedlow, K McBride.
Place in last four up for grabs in Gordon West
Lurgan 1st XV face a tough battle this Saturday when they travel to face Larne in the ¼ finals of the Gordon West Cup (kick off 2.30pm). Larne are currently flying high in Kukri Qualifying three B to date and will prove tough opposition for the Pollock Park side.
Though Lurgan will go into the game knowing they have nothing to lose as the home side will be favourites and the pressure will be on the side from the Glynn.
Elsewhere Monaghan entertain Londonderry YM, Letterkenny have home advantage against an improved Cavan side and PSNI take on Randalstown.
