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Pics ( c ) Steve Haslett
Saturday, 29th February 2020
With Limavady not having had a league match for over a month they were glad to get back into action this week. They didn’t have far to travel as they only had to make their way across the mountain to Rugby Avenue to take on near neighbours, Coleraine. Conditions were far from ideal with a gale blowing and ice cold temperatures, nevertheless both sides managed to put on a very competitive contest to entertain the diehard supporters.
The game did not start well for the home side when in the first minute an attempted clearance was caught by the wind and fell into the hands of Limavady skipper, Jody McMurray who raced in for the first try. Peter Wilson converted to give his side just the start they wanted. Only a few minutes passed until some excellent handling created an opening for lock forward, Russell Blair to score under the posts. Conversion again added. Limavady were already in the ascendancy and this was to be further enhanced when a measured box kick by Peter Wilson fell between two defenders. Matthew Haslett took advantage of their hesitancy in fielding the high ball as he raced away from the half way line to score the third try and stretch the lead to nineteen points. With the wind in their favour Limavady pressed for the bonus point try before half time however resolute defence by Coleraine managed to hold them at bay
Weather conditions worsened in the second half and the game became a dogged affair with both sides cancelling each other out. It wasn’t until the 70th minute that Limavady managed to score again. Following a passage of free flowing rugby, Out-half, Gavin Martin, just returning from injury, was able to cross the line and thus secure the bonus point. Full Back, Jim McCartney rounded off the scoring when he dived in for the fifth try of the game
Final Score: Coleraine 0 Limavady 29
Next week sees Limavady 1st XV travel to Ards, while the 2nd XV travel to Cooke
The result of the day happened on Saturday morning when Limavady U16s travelled to Londonderry to take on Armagh in the U16 League Play Offs. The game was played in very wintry conditions however this young side applied themselves and ran out worthy winners by 35 points to 15. Five tries were scored, the men on the score sheet were Alex O’Neill (2) Ross Crawford and Mark McLaughlin (2) backed up with a tremendous display of place kicking in the awful conditions by Patrick Campbell-Moore as he landed five conversions. The side now travel to the Mid Ulster Centre, Cookstown next Saturday when they will take on Monaghan who dispatched Ballymena in their semi final.
Travelling support would be much appreciated by these young lads who are the future of the Limavady Club.
