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Pro Shots (C) Steve Haslett
Match Report
Limavady v Lurgan
Saturday 26th January 2019
Limavady went into this week’s game tied at the top of the table with Clogher Valley and Academy. With these two sides playing each other Limavady knew that a home win over Lurgan was a must. Limavady managed to gain the victory after an extremely hard fought game.
For the first twenty minutes of the match Lurgan took the game to Limavady and it was only down to good defensive play that their line was not breached. On their first foray into Lurgan territory Limavady exerted sufficient pressure through their forwards to force Lurgan back and this resulted in a try for second row forward John Purcell when he managed to get over the try line. Back came Lurgan and they were rewarded for their endeavours with two scores, firstly a try from wing, Ben McIlwaine and then a penalty from Stephen Nolan to give them a slight lead heading towards the break. Limavady responded with a fine break away try, instigated by Graham McAleese when he raced up the touch line and fed inside to the supporting Ben Riley who ran in from half way to score under the posts. Jim McCartney converted to give Limavady a slight advantage at half time – 12.8
The second half carried on in much the same vein as the first, a dogged affair, with both sides tending to cancel each other out. Half way through the half Michael Rice was on hand to score his first try of the season when he forced his way through Lurgan’s defensive line. McCartney again added the extras to push Limavady two scores clear. Credit to Lurgan as they continued to fight hard and reduced the arrears again when Stephen Nolan scored. After converting his own try the game was set up for a tense finish. Try as they might Lurgan could not get the score they needed nor could Limavady get the fourth try that would have secured a bonus point win. When the referee blew for full time Limavady were relieved to have the victory to keep them at the top of the table.
Limavady 19. Lurgan 15
Limavady no. 8 Darren Corrigan takes on the Lurgan defence
Limavady’s Darren Corrigan is tackled by Lurgan Second Row, Neill Adamson
Limavady Back Row Forward Jonny Lees lines up a gap in Lurgan’s defence
Limavady Fullback Jim McCartney on the break
Forwards Ben Riley and Rory Squires secure the ruck for Limavady
Back Row Forward Darren Corrigan is tackled by Lurgan Scrumhalf Chris Jenks
Limavady Back Row Forward Jonny Lee’s explosive breaks cause problems for Lurgan’s defence
Jonny Lees tears through the defence of Lurgan Fullback Stephen Nolan
Limavady Prop Forward Rory Squires looks for support in the tackle
Limavady Second Rower John Purcell engages in a ruck with Lurgan Forwards
Stuart Simpson in possession for Limavady
Limavady Scrumhalf Peter Wilson spreads the ball out to his backline
Limavady Centre Jamie Millar safely offloads in the tackle
Limavady’s Stuart Simpson takes on Lurgan’s Fullback Stephen Nolan
Limavady Winger Graham McAleese does well to offload in the tackle and put Ben Riley in for a try scoring run to the posts
LimavadyBack Row Forward Ben Riley is chased by Lurgan Scrumhalf Chris Jenks in a run for the try line
Ben Riley shows a clean pair of heels to the Lurgan defence to run in a score under the posts
Darren Corrigan and Lurgan Outhalf Dylan Gill grapple for possession in Saturday’s encounter at the John Hunter Memorial Grounds
Limavady Scrumhalf Peter Wilson spreads the ball out to his supporting backline
Limavady Scrumhalf Peter Wilson marshalls his forwards who have possession of the ball in a scrum
Lurgan’s Second Rower Daniel Lyness loses his scrum cap with the impact of the tackle on Limavady’s big Prop Clive Scott
Jim McCartney secures 2 added points with a conversion kick
Jonny Lees stays strong in the tackle
Limavady Stuart Simpson is stopped by Lurgan’s defensive partnership of Dean Wilson and Graham Currie
Graham McAleese shows no fear in tackling Lurgan No 8 Dean Wilson
The combined efforts of Graham McAleese and Perry Semple cause Lurgan’s Dean Wilson to lose the ball forward in the tackle
