Match Report:
Banbridge 2nds v Limavady 3rd September 2016 Following on from last Saturday’s narrow defeat to Academy, Limavady set out on their Conference league campaign with an away trip to Banbridge 2nds. Mark Nicholl found himself having to pick from a depleted squad due to injuries resulting from last week’s endeavours. The side arrived in Banbridge minus a scrum half as Sheagh McLaughlin had to cry off on the morning of the match due to illness which resulted in the backline having to be rearranged which meant several players playing in positions that they were not used to, namely Chrissie Hunter at Scrum Half, Peter Wilson at Out Half, Robert Lamberton in the Centre and Stuart Roddy at Full Back.
They are all to be commended for their commitment to the cause. To make matters worse John Purcell suffered a knee injury in the second minute which meant he would take no further part in the match. The first score of the game was a try to Banbridge when their scrum half crossed the line in the corner. Limavady drew level in the 24th minute with a smart try from Peter Wilson when he nipped in to score under the posts. He converted his own try. Banbridge responded with a penalty to bring the score to 8.7 in their favour. Just before halftime Limavady lost Michael Rice to a yellow card however they did not let this hinder them as they pressed forward and were rewarded when Jason Kerr showed his potential by outstripping his opposite number to score an excellent try.
Halftime score Banbridge 8 Limavady 12 Limavady started the second half slowly, conceding two silly penalties and a try which meant they were now staring defeat in the face, losing 21.12 After strong words from their coach the team finally began to gel and play a much better standard of rugby. The last twenty minutes were the most productive of the match demonstrating skills which prove that training methods in mid-week are now starting to bear results. Three tries were scored in this time, all from forwards and backs linking together, firstly from Stuart Roddy, then Robert Lamberton and the final move of the match resulting in a well deserved try for Chris Tinney. Final score Banbridge 21 Limavady 27 The players who turned up today are to be congratulated for their commitment and determination to ensure a positive result was achieved. Mark Nicholl and his management team will require this level of commitment from all of the squad throughout the season.
Story by: Trevor Wilson
