Match Report :
Limavady 1XV v Academy 1XV – Saturday 27th August 2016 A beautiful day in Limavady saw the return of the rugby league season. After some promising displays in pre- season friendlies a good crowd waited with eager anticipation as Limavady took on Academy in their first game in the new Kukri Ulster Rugby Division 2 having gained promotion last season. Unfortunately the game got off to a poor start with Limavady not fielding the kick-off and the Academy out-half made it over the line. He duly kicked the conversion. Limavady then started to put some phases together and were rewarded with a penalty, which Jack McCool converted.
There now followed a period of play mainly amongst the forwards with the Limavady backline crying out for the opportunity to show what they could do. Penalties were exchanged by both sides for some silly infringements to take the score to 6. – 13 in Academy’s favor. The best move of the first half now occurred. Daniel Irvine fielded the ball and made an excellent break. The ball was recycled and stretched wide for Mark Woods to show his pace on the wing and score an excellent try in the corner. Jack McCool missed the conversion. The Limavady management team would have been happy to turn around at half-time at only two points adrift however a further lapse in concentration allowed Academy in for a crucial try to leave the half-time score at 11 – 18 The second half turned out to be a disjointed display with 23 minutes passing before any further points were added. This period was very much forward dominated with silly mistakes being made much to the annoyance of the supporters on the line. Academy scored again to stretch the score out to 11 – 23. To be fair to Limavady they stuck to their task and started to move the ball better to bring a bit of excitement to the game.
Their endeavors were rewarded right on full-time when scrum-half, Peter Wilson managed to get over the line. Jack McCool converted to leave the final score 18 – 23 with a losing bonus point secured. Overall, Mark Nicholl and his management team will be glad to get the first game over. While all were disappointed with the result there was enough evidence to give hope for the season. Some players have yet to return and when a full squad is available another successful season is anticipated.
