Foyle narrowly lose out to Limavady

Grammar progressed to a third round tie away to Danske Bank Schools’ Cup holders Methodist College, as they came through their tough North West derby clash.

Although the weather was reasonably kind as the tie kicked off, it soon deteriorated making it difficult for both teams.

It was a credit to both sets of players as well as to referee, Gareth Dunlop, that this game actually finished.

Limavady won the toss and chose to play into the elements.

Foyle College out-half, Alex McDonnell, used the conditions well to pin Limavady back into their 22 metre area.

Eight minutes into the game the visitors got the first points of the game when McDonnell converted a penalty opportunity to give his team a 3-0 lead.

Foyle continued to dominate the opening exchanges but could not get any more points, in spite of their dominance.

Then, with conditions worsening, the Limavady pack started to acquire some possession.

They kept the ball for a good period of time and constantly pushed their Foyle counterparts back.

Limavady centres, Michael Barr and Jamie Millar, punched holes in the midfield and it appeared only a matter of time before Limavady would take the lead.

A try duly came on twenty minutes when, after good work by his pack, the Limavady centre, Jamie Millar, broke through the Foyle College midfield and scored under the posts.

Scott McClean added the simple conversion to put his team into a 7-3 lead.

From the restart, the Limavady half-backs made a mistake and this allowed Foyle to exert some pressure.

Limavady were pinned for not rolling away at a ruck and the Foyle College out-half, McDonnell, kicked the points to reduce the deficit to 7-6, a lead the home team maintained until the interval.

The second half was almost played entirely in the Foyle and Londonderry College half.

Limavady went close on a number of occasions but with overhead conditions deteriorating by the minute, players on both sides were finding it difficult to hold onto the ball.

After 10 minutes of pressure, Limavady outhalf, McClean, kicked another penalty to increase the lead to 10-6.

Under-foot conditions were becoming appalling making all further penalty attempts at goal impossible.

Twenty minutes into the second half, the Limavady pack mauled the Foyle pack over the line with Brendan Ferguson touching down for an unconverted try to give his team a 15-6 lead which was enough to secure the victory.

For more pictures see Sentinel Sport Website www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk.