Crowe kicks Lisburn to a win at Limavady

LIMAVADY 18 LISBURN 19

AFTER making the long haul up to the John Hunter Memorial Grounds, Lisburn at last put themselves back into the right space with a hard earned 18-19 win over Limavady. Having been pipped at the post in their last match, against Omagh, by seventeen points to eighteen, this was a game which they had to win in order to escape from the relegation zone.

The early exchanges showed the urgency the visitors brought to their effort and within ten minutes they had opened up a six point gap, thanks to two finely struck penalties by scrumhalf Mark Crowe, the first from near the half way line. Limavady, on their home turf, were playing an expansive game and their running backs, prompted by Kiwi outhalf Greg Jordan, made numerous incisive breaks only to be closed down by good defending from the Lisburn cover in which Ally Finlay and Richard Kindred were outstanding. On 25 minutes Limavady narrowed the gap to 3 points following a well struck penalty from winger Pearse McNickle but almost immediately Lisburn extended their lead again after flanker Chris Cummings, what a find late in the season, made the initial burst and transferred to Kindred who ran to near the posts for a fine try. Crowe again converted to put Lisburn into a 3-13 lead.

On 35 minutes Limavady broke upfield following a surge by their pack and in a broken field situation their backs took possession and had a free run to the line. The conversion failed and Lisburn went in at the interval with a narrow 8-13 lead.

The second half commenced as the first one had finished with both teams throwing everything into attack but the defences in each case were up to it and the third quarter had closed before the next scoring opportunity presented itself and that fell to Lisburn when Mark Crothers again popped over another good penalty. However, this was nullified shortly afterwards by Limavady after outhalf Jordan kicked a great drop goal from the 22 metre line. 11-16 to Lisburn.

On the 30 minute mark good Limavady pressure eventually saw them take the lead for the first time in the match when for once Lisburn’s defensive backline failed to operate and a missed tackle allowed the homesters in for a well worked try. The McNickle conversion gave Limavady a narrow 18-16 lead and it looked as if Lisburn had shot their bolt. With just five minutes left on the clock Lisburn again worked themselves into Limavady territory where indicipline in the home defence once again provided the visitor’s with a penalty opportunity. Crowe, who had been kicking well all day, stepped up to the mark and sailed the ball between the posts to give Lisburn the all important 18-19 lead. Despite a number of heart stopping occasions in the end game, Lisburn held out to win and there were scenes of great rejoicing as their supporters raced onto the pitch at the final whistle. With a personal contribution of 14 points from the boot, scrumhalf Mark Crowe was Lisburn’s man of the match in this excellent and hard-fought game. In two weeks’ time, on 16th March, Lisburn travel to Randalstown for their final Qualifying Two league game in what could be a season defining match for both clubs.

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