Qualifying League 3
Limaavady 72 Ophir 0
League Leaders Limavady picked up another huge win on Saturday past at a rain lashed John Memorial Grounds. After a somewhat nervous start, the homeside settled down and played some sparkling rugby to the delight of the home fans, running in 13 tries in the process. It was the visitors who were making all the early running, but for all their early dominance, the nearest the Men from Mullask came to scoring was from a penalty in the third minute, however the Ophir out half didn’t have his shooting boots on and his effort sailed wide. On 14minutes Limavady drew first blood when following great work from John McCollum and Jamie Mo Miller, winger Robert Lamberton touched down for the first of his four tries. On 24 minutes came try number two. Veteran Greg Jordan made a great break beating four tackles in the Ophir defence. He played in Stewart Roddy who still had to hold off the challenges of two covering Ophir defenders before touching down under the posts.
Limavady were starting to get their running game going, despite the heavy conditions, and were finding holes in the Ophir defence at will. After taking a scrum against the head Luke Flaukner ran in try number three. On 36 minutes Robert Lamberton claimed his second score of the day and also Limavady’s fourth of the day to secure the all important bonus point. This left the half time score Limavady 24 Ophir 0.
As the rain continued to fall at the start of the second half, Limavady upped the tempo and came out all gunes blazing. Jamie Mo Miller claimed try number five. Robert Lamberton went over the whitewash for the third time on 46 minutes and as the away side tired, the hosts went a ruthless and clinical spell of running rugby to score another six tries. Michael Rice was dominating the restarts and on 49 mins he went a powerful run to set up full back Matty Haslett for his first score of the day. On 54 mins centre Jamie Mo Miller touched down for his second of the day and this one was quickly followed by prop Clive Scott who stormed through the Ophir rearguard to cap a super second half performance with a super try. Try number 10 arrived on 67 minutes when scrum half Jamie Miller picked up at the base of the scrum to run in to touch down under the posts from just outside the ’22’. Robert Lamberton brought his personal tally for the day to 20 points when he grabbed his fourth try of the day on 70mins. There was till time for one more score as Stewart Roddy raced clear again after being once again being set up by centre, Greg Jordan. Jack McCool’s conversion was then followed by the full time whistle to leave the full time score, Limavady 72 Ophir 0.
Head Coach Paul O’Kane was delighted with the second half showing from his side, but was very concerned about the slow start. Thankfully Ophir didn’t get the scores on the board that their early dominance warranted.
Team. M. Haslett, R. Lamberton, J. Mo Miller, G. Jordan, S. Roddy, L. Faulkner, J. Miller. C. Scott, A. Miller, J. McCollum, M. Rice, C. Tinney, J. McCool, P. Browne, D. Irvine.
Next week it’s a North West Derby as the 1st XV travel to play Strabane. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
A patched up 2nds team made the long journey to Enniskillen and got off to a terrific start when the took an early lead with a try from Browne, but the home side soon took over and strong showing in the second half saw the Fermanagh Men claim a convincing 49-7 victory. They will be hoping for a better showing next week when they entertain Ballymena 4ths.
It was a busy, but very productive week for the under 14’s as they recorded two away wins in four days. Last Wednesday night they had a great 42-7 win in Coleraine. This was followed up by a great 15-12 comeback victory over Ballyshannon on Saturday.
Training for all teams continues at the same times every week. New players welcome.
