It was cloudy, grey and cold conditions for Civil Service's trip to Lisburn RFC on Saturday 15th October. Service came into the match looking to improve on their last game away to Holywood RFC which ended in a disappointing loss.

The game got underway with an encouraging start by Civil, putting Lisburn under some early pressure with some determined phases play and strong carries. The Civil lads looked pumped and ready for this game. Lisburn managed to stop the early Civil storm and deliver some good direct phase play of their own. And the hosts scored the opening try of the game. Nice hands out wide from Lisburn released the winger (14) to run into the corner and under the sticks. Conversion was made and it was 7-0.
Lisburn began to take a bit more control of the game. A few penalties given away by Civil at the breakdown allowed the home side to get field position. Lisburn's pressure on Civil came even more with a couple of nice phases inside the Service 22. Good hands out the left side from the Lisburn centre (13) back inside to the full-back (15) who dove over for the 2nd try of the game. Missed conversion made it 12-0 to Lisburn. Civil made a positive response which earned them a series of penalties which pushed Lisburn back into their 22. Service continued to mount pressure on the Lisburn defence as they drove a dominant scrum forward and number 8 Epeli Bogitola picked up from the back and powered his way through two tackles and over for Civil's first try. A terrific conversion from out wide made it 12-7 to Lisburn. It was a great day for Civil's set piece as they continued to dominate the scrum. Good hands out wide made Civil a few metres but an unfortunate knock on let Lisburn off the hook. Lisburn answered back with some good offloading play of their own. Lisburn broke through the Civil defence momentarily but terrific cover defence denies them. Lisburn do eventually pound the pressure on Civil's defence once more and break through for a 3rd try. The Lisburn flanker finds a gap in defence then offloads to prop forward (3) who dives in. Conversion was good and it was 19-7.
The rest of the first half was dominated by Civil possession and territory. Civil's fantastic scrum began to cause Lisburn some defensive problems, and some good pressure by Civil at line-out time released in turnover ball. Lisburn managed to keep Civil out for the rest of the though with strong tackles and counter rucking.
HT: LISBURN 19-7 CIVIL SERVICE.

The 2nd half kicked off with Lisburn starting the better of the two sides winning early penalties and pinning Civil in their own 22. Good strong carries tested the Civil defence early on. But Service manage to win the penalty and relieve the pressure. Lisburn's line-out continues to struggle and Civil win the ball back and break through the defence and pass out wide to winger (11) Gerard Gilmore who grubbers through into the Lisburn 22. Lisburn manage to do well to switch the momentum as their flanker (6) who then finds the fullback (15) with some skilful sidesteps to avoid the Civil defence and eventually offload and send the winger (11) sprinting in the corner for try number four. 26-7.
That try gave Lisburn even more confidence to play a few mins later and they manage to score another try. A penalty allows Lisburn into the Service 22. And patience clear phases play opens a 2 on 1 on the short side and the winger (11) dives over again for his 2nd of the game. Conversion was made, 33-7. Civil showed great determination to try and get back into the game with some strong carrying again by the forward pack and had great opportunities to get over but decision making and the final pass just wouldn't stick for them. Lisburn then benefited off missed opportunities by Civil and scored arguably the try of the game. Number 8 broke through from his own 22 and finds centre (13) who looked dangerous all game. The centre runs out wide and good hands to keep the move going finds its way out to the former Civil Service player flanker (7) Jake Curran who dives in the corner. Conversion is missed and it was 38-7.
FT: LISBURN 38-7 CIVIL SERVICE

In the end the scoreline was harsh on Civil Service who put in a wonderful shift in from 1-15 with the game being a lot closer than what the score-line suggested. They could take a lot of positives from a much improved performance from last week v Holywood.