Qualifying League Section 3
Ten Of The Best for 1sts
Limavady 58 Strabane 10
Champions Limavady kept the winning run going with yet another emphatic victory on Saturday past at the John Hunter Memorial Grounds. From referee’s Shane Toolan’s first whistle, the only question would be how much the home side were going to win by, as the league leaders try to see out the season unbeaten. Head Coach Paul O’Kane also had one eye on the forthcoming Gordon West Cup Final in two weeks time. With a number of players being rested after picking up a few knocks in recent weeks, this gave a few guys an opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the cup final squad. Ben Brown was retained in a new look back row which also included debutant Luke Montgomery, as well as Sheagh McLaughlin at No 8. In the front row Ricky Boyd continued for in place of the injured Clive Scott.
It was another front row player that got the scoreboard ticking as early as the third minute. An attempted clearance by a Strabane back was charged down and tight head prop Adam McIlmoyle was quickest to react to the loose ball and duly accepted an easy try to cross the line from two yards out. The wait for try number two was only four minutes. Right winger Robert Lamberton racing clear to cross for the first of his four tries.
It was all one way traffic at this this stage and on 13mins it was Robert Lamberton’s turn to turn provider as he put Full Back Peter Wilson away for try number three. The bonus point try arrived as early as the 20th minute when Centre Jamie Mo Miller made a break in midfield and he passed to speedster Tom McClelland who finished emphatically under the posts. Jack McCool scored his second conversion of the day to make the score after the first quarter 24-0.
The benefits of ZMA
Strabane to their credit never gave up and scored a try of their own on 28 mins when their scrum half darted over after picking up the ball from a five metre scrum. But it was the homeside who had the last say of the half when on 32mins Sheagh McLaughlin picked up a loose clearance from the Strabane defence and passed to Peter Wilson. He inturn passed to winger Lamberton who was causing all sorts of problems to the visitors backline from the minute one, and sprinted clear from just inside his on half to touchdown for his second, and Limavady’s fifth of the day.
Half time Limavady 29 Strabane 5
Despite trailing by 24 points at the turnaround, it was the Tyrone Men that made the brighter start to the second half, but for all their efforts, they had nothing to show for their efforts. To make matters worse, Limavady broke on 55mins when Scrumhalf and skipper for the day Jamie Miller scored try number six for the Roesiders.
Strabane efforts were rewarded on 61mins when they took full advantage of Limavady’s Ricky Boyd being in the sin bin when their No 8 just about managed to ground the ball on the whitewash. This score only gave the Roe Men the kick up the backside that was required after the sloppy start to the half, and for the last 15 minutes of the game went on a ruthless try scoring spree. First Robert Lamberton got over the line for the third time in the game, and this was followed by Tom McClelland touching down for the second time on 70 minutes following good work from Miller and Wilson.
On 74 minutes Jack McCool passed to Robert Lamberton, but he still had what looked like a lot of work to do, but he managed to beat the covering defence to ground the ball in the end zone before being bundled over the sideline. There was time for one more try and with gaps appearing in a tiring visitors backline, Jamie Mo Miller capped off a fine individual performance to grab his sides tenth try of the day.
Full Time Limavady 58 Strabane 10
Next week the 1st XV will hope to keep their unbeaten record intact when they travel to Greenisland to take on Belfast High School Former Pupils. Kick off here will be at 2.30pm.
Team. P. Wilson, R. Lamberton, J.M. Miller, J.McCool, T. McClelland, L. Faulkner, J. Miller. R. Boyd, J. Blair, A. McIlmoyle, J. Purcell, C.Tinney, L. Montgomery, B. Brown, S. McLaughlin.
Following on from being awarded five full points after Derry 3rds couldn’t field last Friday evening, the 2nds will host Academy 2nds at The John Hunter Memorial Grounds this coming Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm.
Last weeks tour to the West of Ireland certainly took its toll on our under 14’s as only 14 fit players were able to take to the field against Monaghan in Round 2 of the Ulster Carpets Cup. Despite this disadvantage the plucky young Roesiders took the lead with an early try, but the young lads from Monaghan who play in two leagues higher that Limavady soon got their running game going and stormed to a 17-5 half time lead.
Deciding not to feel sorry for themselves the home side threw off the shackles and dug deep to level up the game at 17 all half way through the half, but two late tries from the impressive Monaghan full back saw the visitors come out on top 31-17.
Our recently formed under 12 girls side have been going from strength to strength in recent weeks, and on Friday evening last played their Donaghadee counterparts at The Kingspan Stadium at half time of the Ulster & Connacht Pro12 match.
A fantastic experience for the girls who really enjoyed the evening, and to play in front of over 18,000 spectators is something they will never forget.
