Lisburn Exit Towns Cup, Lisburn 16 – UUC 20
Lisburn exited the Towns Cup at Blaris last Saturday after losing a game that they should probably have won, bearing in mind the amount of possession that they had from their stronger pack. However, despite pressing strongly in the early exchanges, it was the students who first went into the lead after 15 minutes following some poor tackling and defensive cover by the home backs. The try under the posts gave UUC a 0-7 lead. Lisburn reduced the deficit to 3-7 shortly afterwards with a David Scott penalty but once again they shot themselves in the foot with a dropped ball and UUC were in for another converted try bringing the score to 3-14. Lisburn’s old failings in defence, which it was thought were almost solved in the run of games before Christmas, had now surfaced again. The Lisburn pack were winning good ball in the scrums and rucks but lineouts were still not secure on their own ball. The front row of Jefferson, Press and Dickson were giving the smaller student’s front row a torrid time in the set pieces and this was the main supply line of go forward possession which allowed Lisburn their scoring opportunities. Just before half time Scott converted another penalty to make it 6-14 and left Lisburn with hope for another come back.
After the interval the homesters came out with a new found confidence and started to make inroads into UUC territory. A great move by the backs eventually brought them some benefit after the ball was moved out to the wing and then back in again with outhalf Adam Hanley being credited with the touchdown. Scott again converted to bring the score to 13-14 and Lisburn were right back in the game. Another Scott penalty put Lisburn into the lead at 16-14 and the home support felt that this now was the opportunity to finish off the game as their dominant pack were giving the students a hard time up front. However, it was not to be as UUC continued to play fluent rugby and with Lisburn’s indicipline proving fatal once again, two further penalties sent the students home as winners.
Lisburn, it is hoped, will have learned something from this game – getting scrum engagement right and winning your own lineout ball are still two lessons to be learned correctly and Lisburn were occasionally profligate in these areas, despite being more dominant against the lighter student pack. Indicipline leading to yellow cards has also to be watched. In the backline, better defensive alignment is a strong requirement. Next Saturday the 1st and 2nd XVs host Carrick in the league and following Carrick’s good win over Larne recently, Lisburn will require all guns blazing to get a win and move out of the relegation zone.
