Lisburn RFC earn last gasp win over Carrick

In Qualifying League 2 at Blaris last Saturday the Smiley Monroe sponsored Lisburn came back in the last minute of the game to earn an exciting win over rivals Carrick.

With just minutes on the clock, Lisburn were leading by 22 points to 15 and desperately defending their lead when the ball was flashed out across their line to left wing Adie Moore who dashed in at the corner. The difficult conversion was kicked to leave the scores balanced at 22 points each. From the kickoff, Lisburn drove upfield where the pressurised Carrick defence transgressed and up stepped centre Mark Crowe to slot the penalty and give the home team another vital win.

This was an excellent game of rugby played in beautiful conditions and a great advertisement for the sport. Despite the expansive game being played it was the place kickers who were dominant in the first quarter as Crowe kicked two penalties for Lisburn and Carrick responded with one. At the start of the second quarter Carrick earned a well taken converted try but this was followed by another penalty by Crowe to leave the interval score at 9-10 to Carrick.

Team Captain Peter Graham with his two props Aaron and Mark Gilkinson were starting to dominate somewhat in the set scrums while Alan Hughes and Stuart Evans were winning their own ball in the line outs so the set pieces were coming together nicely. Carrick increased their lead within five minutes of the restart as the Lisburn marker Adam Melville was off the pitch being bandaged.

Lisburn immediately responded with another Crowe penalty to leave a three point gap at 12-15 but Lisburn were now managing to gain ascendancy and on the twelve minute mark Carrick shot themselves in the foot and the loose ball bounced straight into the arms of David Gilkinson who streaked over half the pitch to score. Unfortunately the Crowe conversion bounced back off the top of the upright to leave the score at 17-15.

On twenty minutes the Lisburn halfbacks Paul Melville and Ross Edgar linked beautifully on the 22 metre line and moved the ball quickly to David Gilkinson who put his right wing Nick Kennedy in for the score to make it 22-15. The final showdown arrived and Lisburn defended desperately leading into those last dramatic minutes. Nevertheless, a great win for Lisburn but a great display from both teams.

This week the 1st xv have a week off whilst the 2nd xv take on Portadown 2s at Lisburn, KO 2:30, and tonight (Friday 11th) the Ulster v Leicester match is being shown in the clubhouse for all those not attending the game at Ravenhill.