Kukri Qualifying League Section 3
Limavady 49 Belfast High School Former Pupils 3
Limavady secured another impressive bonus point win on Saturday past at the John Hunter Memorial Grounds running in seven tries in a performance that made a mockery of the heavy underfoot conditions. At a time of the year when rugby pitches bare more resemblance to a swimming pool, Limavady adjusted to the tough conditions much better than the the Men from Greenisland to keep their promotion charge on course.
After settling the better, Limavady got their reward after a good start when veteran centre Greg Jordan broke through the B.H.S.F.P. rearguard to touchdown under the posts. Jack McCool added the extras, the visitors replied five minutes later, when referee Deans adjudged that a Limavady tackler had not made an effort to roll away from a ruck after a tackle. The visitors Out-half slotted over the penalty to reduce the gap to four points as we approached the 15 minute mark on the clock.
From the restart Limavady went on the attack again and scrum half Jamie Miller made a break that fooled most of his own team mates as well the visitors backline to run in unopposed for try number two. Again, flanker McCool added the conversion for a 14-3 advantage as we began the second quarter. A further opportunity for High School to claw their way back into the game went a begging when a penalty attempt drifted wide, and from here on in it was one way traffic. The heavy conditions weren’t slowing down full back Tom McClelland as he picked up the ball in his own half and raced clear to create a three on one scoring chance, and despite with the option of finishing himself he played in centre Jamie Mo Miller for his first score of the day. Jack McCool added the extras with his third successful kick of the day, and on 29mins he made it four from four when out half Luke Faulkner broke clear and played in Jamie Mo Miler to slide in for try number four. At the turnaround the score board read Limavady 28 B.H.S.F.P. 3.
Determined to keep up the high standards that they have set themselves, the Roesiders came flying out of the traps at the start of the second half and for the second game in a row, captain Daniel Irvine powered over and faced with his most difficult kick of the day, Jack McCool made five from five from a kick near the sideline. After scoring eight try’s in his previous two games, winger Robert Lamberton had a much more quieter day, but was instrumental in setting up try number five on 51 minutes. Collecting a kick out of the visitors defence he ran deep into the opponents half where Daniel Irvine took up the charge. Now into the visitors ’22’ prop John McCollum almost made the line but was able to brilliantly pop a pass in the tackle to hooker Johnny Blair who finished a super effort with his first try of the season.
On 68 minutes following great approach play from Roddy and McClelland, Jamie Mo Miller was played in by the latter to claim his third try of the day. Jack McCool made it a perfect day from placed balls with his seventh conversion of the day, as referee Emmett Deans brought proceedings to an end as the wind picked up and the rain continued to batter the hardy brave souls that stood on the sideline.
Full Time Limavady 49 Belfast High School Former Pupils 3
Team: T. McClelland, R. Lamberton, Jamie Mo Miller, Greg Jordan, Stewart Roddy, L. Faulkner, Jamie Miller. A. McIlmoyle, J. Blair, J. McCollum, M. Rice, C. Tinney, J. McCool, P. Browne, D. Irvine.
Another win for the Roesiders that sees them maintain their 13 point lead over the PSNI at the top of Qualifying 3. Head Coach Paul O’Kane was delighted on how his side adapted to the heavy and tough conditions, and was even more delighted to be able to run in seven trys into the bargain.
Next week Newry are the visitors to the John Hunter Memorial Grounds. This will be the second meeting between the sides this season after a very close and bruising encounter last September. On that occasion Limavady came out on top on a 18-7 scoreline. The only game this season when the Roe Men didn’t pick up a bonus point, and with their big pack, the current conditions will no doubt suit the Down Men better. Newry were being tipped to be in the promotion mix at the start of the season, but their performances have lacked consistency and sit mid table at the half way point. However, they will travel high in confidence following an excellent 25-17 victory over UUC last Saturday.
Kick off on Saturday will be at 2pm.
The seconds traveled to Tom Simms Memorial Park to face Carrick 3rds in Rd1 of the Forester Cup, but unfortunately they left on the wrong side of an 11-0 scoreline. They now go into the subsidiary Forester Plate. Next week they travel to neighbours City of Derry to play the Foylesiders 3rd string XV. No better fixture to get rid of a cup hangover. Kick off at Judges Road is at 2.30pm.
The club awaits on that cup draw, but one other cup draw took place at the start of the week in form of the Powerade Towns Cup. The draw for the blue ribbon event of junior ulster rugby is one that everyone looks forward to every year, with every club hoping to be on the winners podium at The Kingspan Stadium on Easter Monday. For the first time in many a year Limavady received a home draw, and a cracker it is too. Portadown will visit the Roe Valley on Saturday 2nd January 2016.
There was disappointment for the under 14’s as their recent good run came to an end when they crashed to a 26-19 defeat to Civil Service.
