Sat 19th Oct, 2:30pm. Kukri Qualifying 1. U.U.C.
15 – 23 Ballymoney
Toon grind out a win
Ballymoney overcome a stubborn UUC side
Ballymoney travelled to UUC looking to extend a good run of form that has seen them back into the top half of the league. But UUC were clearly targeting a local win, and proved stubborn to break down throughout.
In the first half the home side had much of the play, without too much to show for it. A Ballymoney penalty after 2 minutes, and an unconverted UUC try on 35 minutes left it 5-3.
With a halftime team talk ringing in their ears, the Toon side set out more determined to take advantage of their superiority in the scrums, and translate into better possession and urgency around the park.
In the 45th minute, this was apparent when Ryan Clyde went over for a try from a lineout maul. Shortly afterwards, Nigel Nevin scored after sustained phase play, and a final offload from Ryan Brace, who was appearing bravely on the day after his wedding!
However, Ballymoney went down to 14 men with James Campbell in the bin for a deliberate knock-on, and UUC pulled a score back, breaking through midfield for the try and conversion to level the score at 15-15.
No sooner had Campbell returned, the Toon lost another man, this time though it was one off from each side as Sam Kyle had a disagreement with his opposite man. The penalty went Ballymoney’s way, and the kick was was good for 18-15.
With 2 minutes left on the clock, Jonny Hanna made sure of the win with another try, this time from the back of a lineout. Campbell hit the conversion to finish 23-15.
Man of the Match was Scott Nelson, playing 70 mins with a badly injured thumb but somehow managing to keep play moving.
Next week sees the Conference League start, and Ballymena’s 2nd XV are the visitors to Kilraughts Road.
