LIMAVADY RUGBY: Roesiders return to action with emphatic Mongahan win

Limavady Second Row John Purcell sees the line against Monaghan at the John Hunter Memorial Grounds on Saturday. 0202MW01

After two weeks of inactivity, the North West Independent Clinic sponsored Limavady First XV got back into action with an emphatic victory over Monaghan.

The Roesiders were able to welcome back John McCollum and Matty Haslett as well as skipper Daniel Irvine but out-half Luke Faulkner failed a late fitness test, so Stewart Roddy come in on the wing, with Jamie ‘Mo’ Miller taking the No. 10 shirt.

The home support didn’t have long to wait for the first score when eight minutes in, Matty Haslett got in behind the Monaghan defence to score. Haslett was involved in try No. 2 as Peter Wilson scored the first of his three tries. Jack McCool added the conversion for a 12-0 lead and on 26 minutes, the full-back touched down for his second.

John Purcell then timed his off-load to perfection to Wilson and McCool again fired the conversion between the sticks.

Monaghan replied with a penalty but that was as good as it got for the visitors as Purcell and Miller crossed the line to leave Limavady 31-3 ahead at the interval.

With the bonus point already in the bag, the league leaders started to throw the ball about much more confidently and the Roe Men added a further four tries in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Wilson completed his hat trick (and kicked a conversion) while Haslett claimed his second and their were also scores for Robert Lamberton and Sam Mackey.

Stewart Roddy capped a fine individual display by powering through on 64 minutes, and Purcell broke through the Monaghan rearguard on 75 minutes to finish under the posts for try number 11.

Limavady: P. Wilson, M. Haslett, R. Lamberton, J. McCool, S. Roddy, J. M. MIller J. Miller. C. Scott, A. McIlmoyle, J. McCollum, J.Purcell, M. Rice, S. Mackey, P. Browne, D. Irvine.

Limavady Seconds were also in action last Saturday as they recorded an excellent 39-7 victory over Portadown Thirds whihc leaves them second in Junior League 4.

Next week, the First XV travel to Newfordge for a huge league encounter with second placed P.S.N.I. Kick off in this one is at 2.30pm.