Holywood (10) 13 Lurgan (9) 12 Lurgan 1st XV & Lurgan II’s (0) 7 Ophir II’s (3) 6

Lurgan rugby round up Sat 18th Sept Gordon West League Cup Holywood (10) 13 Lurgan (9) 12 Lurgan 1st XV got their season underway on Saturday with a trip to Holywood for the opening group game in the Gordon West Cup, Writes Paddy Allen.

In his first game back for the first XV after a year at Dromore out half Stephen Nolan kept his side in the match at half time with three penalties in reply to two tries for the home side. Nolan gave Lurgan the lead midway through the second half with another penalty only for Holywood to regain the lead with a penalty of their own soon after.

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Going into the closing stages of the match Lurgan kept pressing the home defence with only 13 players on the pitch as scrum half Chris Jenks had to leave the pitch with a head injury and Stephen Nolan found himself harshly sin binned by the referee. The visitors received a penalty in front of the posts and with their two kickers off the pitch it was up to full back Richard Clarke to put his side in front. Unfortunately his kick hit the outside of the post and Holywood held on for a one-point victory.

Lurgan now know this Saturday’s second round group game is a must win as they travel to Newforge to play PSNI. In Saturday’s other group game PSNI had a home win ?? – ?? against Civil Service.

Magners Junior League Section 5 Lurgan II’s (0) 7 Ophir II’s (3) 6 Following a 30 –14 defeat against a strong CIYMS III’s the previous week Lurgan seconds kicked off their first home match of the season with a hard earned but well deserved victory against a stubborn Ophir outfit.

The visitors held a 3 – nil lead at the break but Lurgan were soon in front after the restart when hooker Cheyenne Eskra sneaked over in the right hand corner. Out half Gareth Strain banged over a superb touchline conversion for a 7 – 3 lead.

Ophir replied with a penalty to reduce the score to 7 – 6 but Lurgan finished the stronger in the final 20 minutes and should of added to their score only for some good defence from the visitors. This weekend Lurgan II’s entertain Ballymoney IV’s at Pollock Park with a 2:30pm kick off.