Limavady 42 PSNI 3
It was 1st verses 2nd at a sun drenched John Hunter Memorial Grounds on Saturday, as the home side produced another ruthless display of running rugby. The PSNI arrived full of confidence following a run of six consecutive victories, but they had no answer to a very mature display from the young Roesiders.
Peter Wilson got the scoreboard going as early as the seventh minute from a penalty, and then following a line break from Sam Mackey, scrum half Jamie Miller touched down following more good work from Peter Wilson and Matty Haslett. Luke Faulkner added a penalty on 15mins to leave Limavady eleven points to the good. The PSNI started to come into the game after a somewhat slow start, and led by a huge pack started to make some inroads into the Limavady half. But with the home defence in top form, all the visitors had to show for their efforts was one penalty which came from the boot of their scrum half. On 40 minutes Faulkner had a chance to extend the Limavady leadbut his penalty just dropped short, so at the break the scoreboard read Limavady 11 PSNI 3.
It was a more aggressive home team that the large attendance saw at the beginning of the second half, but today things were not happening as on more than one occasion scores were being left behind. But with each score being missed, panic wasn’t allowed to settle in. The PSNI defence were beginning to tire and on 54 minutes Limavady created an over lap and Matty Haslett scored in the corner to open up a 13 point lead. Limavady now sensed that if they wanted to kill the game off, that it had to be done now during this spell of the game when they were in top. Four minutes later the game was as good as over when Jamie Mo Miller scored try number three, and then five minutes later he put his centre partner for the day Robert Lamberton in the clear for the all important bonus point try.
The homeside were dominant in every area,especially in the lineout were Sam Mackey took four PSNI lineouts against the throw. Jack McCool touched down for try number five following one of those Mackey steal’s and Luke Faulkner kicked a great conversion from the endline.
Out half Luke Faulkner capped a fine individual performance on 76 mins when he touched down for try number six and some great play by forwards Michael Rice and Clive Scott. Peter Wilson added the extras fro a 39 point lead. There was still time left for the PSNI to enjoy a wee bit of possession, but the Roesiders were holding firm. Pressure from the Limavady defence forced a knock on which was quickly followed by referee Barry O’Hara’s whistle.
A slower start to the game than usual, but Head Coach Paul O’Kane was delighted by the second half performance and also that when things were not going as intended, that no panic settled in and that the team just stuck to the game plan and in the end, saw it out in a ruthles manner.
Team: P. Wilson, M. Haslett, R. Lamberton, J.M. Miller, S. Roddy, L. Faulkner, J. Miller. C. Scott, D. Irvine, J. McCollum, M. Rice, J. Purcell, J. McCool, P. Browne, S. Mackey.
The seconds had some what of an off day as they fell to the unbeaten league leaders of Junior 4, Belfast Harlequins 3rds. The South Belfast Men went try crazy and ran out 63-5 winners.
Next week the firsts have another big game on their hands as the travel to play Holywood. The County Down side came down from Q2 last season, and after a slow start have found some form which has seen them record wins in each of their last three games. Kick off is at 2.30pm. The seconds will be glad to have the week off, but everyone, both 1st & 2nd XV players are expected to train as usual on Tuesday and Thursday evening.
Pride of place at the weekend went to the club’s under 14 team. They came out on top in a four team tournament in Derry. They had victories over a team from Sweden and Finn Valley of County Donegal. A 5-5 draw against the hosts was enough to claim the tournament as every week the skill levels improve with every performance.
