Kukri Qualifying League Section 3
Belfast High School Former Pupils 19 Limavady 24
With the league title already in the bag, Limavady travelled to Greenisland on Saturday hoping to maintain their unbeaten run, and also give a few players their chance to prove themselves worthy of a place in the 20 man squad for next week’s Gordon West Cup Final.
Up front Clive Scott and Peter Browne got a chance to prove their fitness while Kent King got a rare start from No 8. There was also a first start for tight head Alan Wilson. Tom McClelland was rewarded for his recent fine form with another start on the right wing.
Before kick off a minute silence was observed in memory of the late Frank Owens who passed away on Friday night. May he rest in peace.
Kicking off into a heavy hail shower on an already soggy pitch, Limavady scored from their first attack. Luke Faulknour passed to Jamie Mo Miller who broke through a huge gap in the homeside’s midfield to touch down under the posts, Jack McCool converted for a great start. Aided by the wind a strong home forward unit, High School took the game to the champions, and on 7mins they thought they got a try of their own when their left winger got in to score in the corner. Fortunately referee Jackson brought play back for a forward pass.
High School’s good start was eventually rewarded on 15mins when their out half slotted over a penalty. They were further rewarded five minutes later when their left winger got through again to score in the corner. This time the score was given. Following on from an impressive win in Newry last Saturday and a great opening quarter, the Greenisland side were well on top and bossing the set peice. This meant the Roesiders were being starved of possession and unable to get out of their ’22’, nevermind half.
Theire was a let off for Limavady on 25mins when a kickable penalty was missed by the homeside, but not on 34mins when a pick and drive from Mark Scullion resulted in the Hooker extending High School’s lead to six with another try.
Half Time Belfast High School 13 Limavady 7
At half time questions were asked and a stern talking to were delivered to the team by coaches Sherrard and King appeared to have fallen on deaf ears as High School extended their advantage to nine points. With the Limavady pack starting to make some headway up front, they were able to feed a starved backline with some possession. On 48mins a delightful chip behind the home backline by Luke Faulknour was gathered by Robert Lamberton who still had a bit of work to do before running in below the posts for a vital score. Jack McCool added the extras to make it a two point game.
It was all to play for now and spectators were being treated to an end of season nail bitter. The early wind and heavy wintery showers had now passed, but had left the pitch very heavy indeed, and this began to take it its toll on the more experienced home pack. After dominating the scrum in the first half, it was Limavady’s turn to boss the set peice. Twice in the third quarter Limavady cane close to taking the lead, but Clive Scott and Tom McClelland were denied just short of the line after both making great breaks.
Limavady did take the lead on 60mins when Jack McCool kick a penalty from just inside the High School half for a slender one point lead, the homeside were not for giving up and regained the lead six minutes later when their out half landed another penalty for a 19-17 lead.
The pivotal moment of the game arrived with just one minute of the regulation 80 left. Robert Lamberton came off his wing and received a pass on half way and stormed forward to break through four would be tacklers and despite having support on either side of him, he touched down under the posts for a fabulous individual try. With Jack McCool added the conversion for a five point lead as the game entered five minutes of additional time.
High School threw off the shackles and went for broke and set up camp in the Limavady ’22’ for the duration. First of all they were held up just short of the line in the corner, but then play soon switched to the right and closer to the posts. Despite conceding two more penalties the visitors stood their ground, defended heroically and forced the Belfast Men into conceding a penalty of their own.
The resulting penalty was kick dead by Luke Faulknour much to the relief of the Limavady players, coaches and supporters alike. So after 21 games, it’s 21 victories, but only just.
Belfast High School Former Pupils 19 Limavady 24
Team: P. Wilson, T. McClelland, J.M. Miller, J. McCool, R. Lamberton, L. Faulknour, J. Miller. C. Scott, J. Blair, A. Wilson, J. Purcell, C. Tinney, P. Browne, S. McLaughlin, K. King.
Next week it’s the big one!! All roads lead to the Kingspan Stadium where Limavady will attempt to defend the Gordon West Cup that they won in such style last year. Their opponents are Lurgan, and kick off at Ulster Branch Headquarters will be at 3pm. A tough battle awaits from the Mid – Ulster side, so it would be great to see a big support on the day. For more info regarding supporters buses, see the club’s Facebook page or contact the Rugby Club.
The seconds were also in action on Saturday past when they hosted Academy 2nds at The John Hunter Memorial Grounds. An all round super team performance saw them come out on top against the North Belfast side on a 38-17 scoreline.
