Coleraine hoping to secure play-off spot

Coleraine lost out to Carrickfergus on Saturday in a tightly contested game which sealed the league championship for the visitors.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Apr 2016, 10:59 BST
Two Coleraine Players ensure that this Carrick Player is brought to the ground during Saturdays match at Rugby Avenue Coleraine.INCR13-16 018BWTwo Coleraine Players ensure that this Carrick Player is brought to the ground during Saturdays match at Rugby Avenue Coleraine.INCR13-16 018BW
Two Coleraine Players ensure that this Carrick Player is brought to the ground during Saturdays match at Rugby Avenue Coleraine.INCR13-16 018BW

The game was the last opportunity for Coleraine to gain top spot this season but coming off the worst of an 11-23 score means that Carrick secure top position and promotion to Section 1 of the Kukri Qualifying League next season.

Coleraine remain in second place and now face a defining visit to Enniskillen on Tuesday evening for their last league game of the season. Coleraine are on 62 points as they enter the last game, Enniskillen lie in third with 51, but with two games in hand.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A win for Coleraine would secure second place in the league and a playoff against Ards on 16 April for a place in section 1 next season.

Richard Boyd Coleraine Head Coach watches from between the posts at his teams performance INCR13-16 017BWRichard Boyd Coleraine Head Coach watches from between the posts at his teams performance INCR13-16 017BW
Richard Boyd Coleraine Head Coach watches from between the posts at his teams performance INCR13-16 017BW

In the game on Saturday Coleraine came out fighting and with seven minutes on the clock picked up the first points, captain Mikey Poskitt slotting the ball between the posts for three points after Carrick were penalised. 3-0

The visitors returned the pressure and on 15 minutes they forced their way over in the corner. The conversion struck the post and back onto the field. 3-5 Ten minutes later Coleraine were in the attack and again the defence were penalised. Poskitt was on target to claim a further three points. 6-5

The visitors had a moment of luck just before the break. A well struck penalty saw the ball again strike the post but this time it went through and Carrick claimed the three points. 6-8 After halftime Carrick again went on the attack and were rewarded with another penalty, converted to bring the score to 6-11.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coleraine went on the offensive and pressured the Carrick lines. Patience was rewarded when the pack edged towards the line and Brian Hughes broke away on the blindside to dive over the line in the corner. The conversion went wide and the match was evenly balanced at 11-all.

Some of the action from Saturdays home match against Carrick. INCR13-16 016BWSome of the action from Saturdays home match against Carrick. INCR13-16 016BW
Some of the action from Saturdays home match against Carrick. INCR13-16 016BW

Ten minutes later a resurgent Carrick devastated Coleraine hopes within a few minutes. A concerted forwards attack saw a converted try in the corner and almost from the restart the Carrick full back scored a great individual try, again converted bringing the score to 11-23.

Despite a series of attacking moves Coleraine were unable to get back on terms with the visitors.

Carrick were delighted with the win which seals their position as league champions and secures promotion to Section 1 of the league next season. In other games the results were Carrick 2s 25-0Coleraine 2s and Coleraine 3s 26-12 Carrick4s.

Related topics:ColeraineCarrickfergusCarrickEnniskillen