Kukri Rugby Championship Section 2
CIYMS 16 Limavady 17
A very economical Limavady handed neighbours Coleraine the initiative in the race for the one automatic promotion spot from Championship two following a surprise, but fully deserved, victory on a crisp autumn Saturday afternoon at Belmont Road. Three visits to their opponents ’22’ resulted in three scores as the promotion race to Championship one was blown wide open. Previously unbeaten CI had blown away all before them this season as Limavady were still adjusting to life following last season’s promotion.
CIYMS were rocked during the week when their out-half and former Ulster player James McKinney left for Jersey. This showed as their backline lacked a cutting edge despite being given countless opportunities from a pack that held the upper hand in the battle up front.
Limavady’s backline received some rave reviews in last year’s unbeaten league season and on 10mins they showed that they could operate at a higher level as skipper Robert Lamberton made a break down the left. His kick ahead was gathered by Mark Woods who’s off-load was gathered by No 8 Sam Mackey who crashed over the whitewash for the game’s first score. Peter Wilson added the conversion for a 7-0 lead. The rest of the half belonged to the home side but a combination of poor handling and a ferocious and competitive defence from the visitors meant they had to rely on their scrum-half to kick three penalties for a 9-7 lead. He almost made it 12-7 with a fourth attempt but his effort came back off a post, however at the break the home team still enjoyed a two point lead.
The second half began in a similar fashion to the first, with the visitors on the attack and once again when Limavady moved the ball out wide they found joy. Winger Mark Woods in his first season in the 1st XV broke down the right beating three men for the game’s second major score. Again Peter Wilson added the conversion and the Roesiders were back in front, this time by five points. The homeside rallied but the Limavady defence were growing in confidence and matched anything the CI pack threw at them.
Another missed CI penalty meant Limavady still lead 14-9 but they were eventually rewarded for their efforts when for once the Limavady backline switched off and their centre went over for a well deserved try. With the conversion added CI were leading for the first time in the game.
The CI pack were on top now after an even tussle with their Limavady counterparts in the first, but a turnover saw Peter Wilson make a break but found himself isolated and lacking support. However a smart kick into the corner was gathered by Chrissy Hunter and Limavady launched a rare attack into the CI ’22’.
Play was however stopped due to a serious injury to the CI scrum-half and play was held up for 25 minutes. Credit must go to the referee and the attending match medics who handled the situation expertly until an ambulance crew arrived.
A Limavady scrum in the CI ’22’ got play underway again and from it Limavady won a penalty which Peter Wilson kicked to regain the lead at 17-16. There were still eight minutes of play left and the homeside went flat out to claim the victory points to keep them joint top of the league. A chance did present itself with a penalty, but the home crowd were a bit surprised when posts were signalled instead of going to the corner as they were getting much joy from the line out.
With their first choice kicker off injured, centre Burns stopped up to the plate but saw his effort just fall to the right of the post. The onslaught from CI continued and on the last play they got another chance to claim a win, this time from a much easier position, but again Burns saw his kick drift to the right and Limavady held on to claim a valuable win.
FT CIYMS 16 Limavady 17
A superb team performance built on a sound defence and taking their chances when they presented themselves. Next up is Larne at home on December 3rd.
Team:Peter Wilson, Mark Woods, Chris Hunter, Jamie Millar, Robert Lamberton, Matthew Haslett, Jamie Millar. Reginal Squires, Daniel Irvine, John McCollum, Michael Rice, Richard McCollum, D. Houston, Perry Semple, Sam Mackey. Subs: John Purcell & Jason Kerr.
Report by Paul McIntyre
Photos by Steve Haslett
