Pics (c) Steve Haslett
Match Report
Randalstown v Limavady
Saturday, 9th October 2021
Limavady travelled to Randalstown this week to take on the only other unbeaten side in the championship this year. The match turned out to be very much a game of two halves. The half time score of 3.3 was more representative of an exciting football match rather than a very dour rugby struggle. Limavady were their own worst enemies making far too many handling errors and allowing Randalstown to maintain a foothold in the game. Limavady’s three points came from the boot of outhalf, Peter Wilson matched by the same from his opposite number.
Half Time Randalstown 3 Limavady 3
Some very firm words were delivered by coach, Graeme Eastwood, at half time when he asked his troops to step up to the mark. Right from the kick off John Purcell fielded the ball and carried this forward a good 15 metres before handing off to Jack McIntosh who repeated this and that just set the tone for the rest of the game.
Six tries were scored in total by Limavady. The first one came from an excellent break by Peter Wilson before offloading to the supporting John Purcell who used his strength to power over. The second try belonged to the front row as Clive Scott made the first carry and then Jack McIntosh took over to again force his way over the line. This was fitting reward for Jack as just a few minutes before that he had had a try disallowed for a double movement. Try number three followed shortly after as Peter Wilson broke on the blind side and fed Jim McCartney to touch down in the corner. Peter Wilson was again the instigator of try number four as he deftly chipped through the uprushing Randalstown defence to allow Brandon Maxwell to race in behind and dive on the loose ball. Captain Ben Riley kept his good try scoring record going when he caught the ball at the front of a line out and foxed the home defence by racing clear to claim try number five. The game was rounded off in fine style by Jim McCartney in the final minute when he expertly squeezed in, in the corner. With three of these tries converted by Peter Wilson Limavady ran out easy winners in the long run.
Final Score: Randalstown 10 Limavady 39
Limavady were not at their best this week, however Graeme should take good heart from the response that he got from his players in the second half. It’s back to the training pitch now before two home games against Banbridge 2nds, firstly in the Conference League and then the following week, another home fixture against the same opposition in the Junior Cup.
Limavady 3rds also turned out this week. This newly formed team is full of new young talent. Having lost last week to Letterkenny they recorded their first victory against near neighbours, Coleraine by 31 points to 10. Five tries were scored by Aaron Michaelides (2), Andrew Miller, Matthew King and Daniel Tranter. Andrew also kicked three conversions.
Report by Trevor Wilson
Photos by Steve Haslett
