Firsts run Methody close in exciting game at Perrie Park

Methody were firm favourites, however the boys from Coleraine were hopeful of an upset.

Inst were fastest out of the blocks and within three minutes Calum Smith slotted a penalty after an infringement at the breakdown.

Smith extended his side’s advantage 15 minutes later with another penalty after Daniel McAllister’s great work at the breakdown.

The game was fairly even after this with neither side able to add any points. It stayed like that up until the stroke of half time when Methody kicked into the corner, they caught and drove off the resulting lineout before storming over the Coleraine Inst line for a try against the run of play.

Seven minutes into the second half and it was a case of deja vu for the visitors as the hosts once again caught their lineout and mauled over the line, the conversion was missed.

On 55 minutes an attempted grubber kick by Smith was picked up by the Methody backs, who caught a blindside attack catching CAI off guard, left winger Thomas Lavery put in a monster tackle but he couldn’t prevent the hosts from adding another seven points.

Two minutes before the end CAI’s sustained pressure resulted in a great try. The nimble and quick Andrew Wisener sparked the attack with the initial break, he then popped to full back Matthew Smyth.

He linked with his namesake Callum Smyth who was haulted just short of the line, Matthew Norris cleared two MCB players at the resulting ruck and this allowed the ever present Alastair Corbett to dive over from short range. The conversion was missed.

The match ended 19-11 and the boys have now realised the potential they have and look forward to the coming games against RSD and BRA with confidence.

There was some great performances on the CAI team from Peter Bonnar, David Greatorex, Jack McCarroll, Peter Wisener, Bruce Campbell , and Matthew Norris.

The Second XV also suffered defeat at Methody going down 35-3.

The visitors found themselves 14-3 down at the break, their points coming from Adam Alexander.

The home side ran in three tries after the break, which was harsh on the players who put in a superb amount of work.

The team will not let this defeat get to them as they prepare to face RSD next week.

The Third XV also suffered a heavy defeat on their travels to Perrie Park on Saturday.

They went with a strong team and in buoyant mood having put in much improved performances of late.

However, they ended up on the wrong side of a 44-12 defeat.