Limavady 12 Randalstown 18
For the second time in a week Randalstown travelled to the North West this time to play Limavady in a league game. Early in the season Randalstown had a comprehensive victory when the sides met at Neillsbrook, however the Randalstown coaches and players expected a tougher test at Limavady. The result sees ‘Town remaining in 4th spot as Omagh, Academy and Ballyclare all ran out winners on Saturday afternoon. Next Saturday’s encounter with Omagh therefore has a lot at stake for both teams as Randalstown will seek to avenge the narrow defeat at Omagh while Omagh remain in hot pursuit of league leaders Ballyclare.
The game started with Randalstown in control and had it not been for some poor handling they might have a couple of early scores. The home side seemed to grow in confidence at Randalstown’s inability to put points on the board and after a period of intense pressure they scored a well taken try to open the scoring with 20 minutes played.
The Randalstown side raised their game and the forwards won some good ball in the Limavady 22. The pressure began to pay off and after a narrow miss by John O’Kane from a penalty Randalstown were awarded another penalty which Dan Wilson took quickly and with his usual aggression beat two defenders to score near the posts. John O’Kane slotted over the conversion to give the visitors a 7-3 lead with ten minutes of the half left. A further penaltly from the experienced O’Kane gave Randalstown a comfortable 10-7 half time lead.
The second half was a typical Limavady v Randalstown game with each side totally committed in attack and defence. Outstanding defence by ‘Town denied the home side any further score and eventually some excellent attacking play was rewarded when Limavady were penalised and again O’Kane was on hand to increase the visitors lead to 13-7.
With captain Adair leading by example the Randalstown forwards began to get the upper hand in both the scrums and rucks. Well won ball by the pack allowed the backs to move the ball quickly and, with Smyth and McWhirter making good yards, Darryl McGarry was able to burst through for a second try.
With 15 minutes left Limavady were far from beaten and began a period of intense pressure on the visitor’s line. Superb defence by all the team, with Ian Hume , playing in the rather unaccustomed centre berth, and Darryl McGarry outstanding, kept the home side from scoring. Eventually however Limavady were able to find a gap and their winger ran in for a well taken score to put the home side in sight of a bonus point.
Randalstown showed their composure and superior fitness by taking the game back to Limavady and the last five minutes of the game were spent on the Limavady line. With a little bit of luck the visitors could have added to their 18-12 advantage.
Coaches Longwell and Strange were unwilling to single out individuals in the game, but it was good to see Chris Allen back to his best after injury. The return from injury of John O’Kane whose place and line kicking gave the team more options in attack was a much needed boost, and the aggression and effort of Ian and Gary Hume was immense.
Lurgan 2nd XV 13 Randalstown 2nd XV 25 (Forster Cup)
Randalstown 2nds travelled to Lurgan in the first round of the Forster Cup and despite playing with 14 men for 70 minutes came home with a competent 25-13 win.
The home side started strongly and opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a penalty. In the run up to the penalty being awarded ‘Town lost flanker Tony Boyd with a dislocated knee and as a result played a man down for the duration of the game.
They steeled themselves however and go on top of their opponents, and Peter McCann slotted over a penalty to tie the scores. Against a much heavier pack the ‘Town front row of Loughlin, Hamilton and Hamilton were excelling, taking a couple of strikes against the head.
Randalstown then stretched their lead courtesy of scrum half Cillian McGlade. He darted over for a try having created space with one of his trade mark dummies and McCann added the extras.
With half an hour played a well worked move off a scrum on the Lurgan 10 meter line saw Ryan McGarry scythe through the home defence to touch down under the posts, leaving a straightforward conversion for McCann.
Lurgan gradually edged their way back into the game in the last 10 minutes of the half aided by some ‘Town ill discipline and land one of two penalty chances to leave the half time score 17-6 in favour of Randalstown.
Straight from the restart ‘Town stretched their lead. Great work from the pack saw the ball turned over and David Smith threw a great pass to McCann who surged through the scattered Lurgan defence for an unconverted try.
The remainder of the game saw Randalstown play the more fluent rugby when they could get the ball, but Lurgan had the bulk of the possession, using their big pack to batter the visitors. ‘Town also had to contend with a constant stream of penalties conceded, which at times were baffling in the extreme. Even given a lack of discipline at times the one-sided refereeing turned the game into a farce. Lurgan’s possession after a series of penalties was eventually rewarded with a score as they powered over for a converted try.
Loughlin spent 10 minutes in the bin for pulling down a maul, yet the Lurgan winger remained on the field after a blatant deliberate trip on Ryan McGarry, further illustrating the blinkered decision making. It is increasingly difficult not to criticise the man in the middle when potentially good games of rugby degenerate either into a farce or worse still unsafe. The contribution of the referee is invaluable but it would seem that there is an obvious need for more support and training.
A McCann penalty, a rare such opportunity for ‘Town, closed out the game after good work from Mark Steenson at number 8.
This was an impressive performance from the Neillsbrook men given their recent inactivity having had no competitive action since early December, the loss of Boyd early in the game, and a strong Lurgan side. Their defending was excellent and they always looked sharp in possession. The pack worked their socks off, but it was the remaining back rowers Mark Paine and debutant Mark Steenson who really stood out.
In the back line again a solid defence from all and McGarry, McCann and Smith always looked dangerous in attack. The club, and the 2nd XV in particular wish Tony Boyd a full and speedy recovery from what seems to be a fairly serious knee injury. Tony’s whole hearted effort, commitment and attitude will be sorely missed in the latter half of the season.
Team: P McCann W Fleck B Winter D Smith R McGarry M Turner C McGlade M Hamilton R Loughlin B Hamilton S Hyndman C Ferry M Paine T Boyd M Steenson.
Next Saturday the 1st XV host Omagh, while the 2nd XV are also in action at Neillsbrook against Ballyclare 4ths. There is a pre-match lunch prior to the games and some places were still available – contact Adie Johnston for more information. The 3rds have another week’s break.
