Ballymoney RFC Notes: U19 I XV Battle In Bowl Final

Ballymoney U19 lost 33-28 to Ballymena U19 in last weeks Bowl final at Cookstown. With the squad suffering injuries in the semi-final there were down to only 15players with the Branch not allowing the U17 players McBurney and Ferris to be selected.

With Jordan Munnis having to withdraw the night before as he had not recovered from a knee injury it meant a return to the starting line up for Adam Hodges. This was Adam first game back after 8 weeks out with a hamstring tear.

Ballymena started off at a high pace and there number 8 was causing problems with some strong running. They took at 28-7 lead at half time. However Ballymoney came out the stronger in the second half after strong words from Team Manager Sam McAllister. Try’s from David Holmes, Simon McCrea and Luke McKinley added to the kicking of Outhalf Steele brought the scores to 33-26.

This was especially impressive as ballymoney were down to 14men within 5 minutes of the restart as Hodges had to leave the field. Then with 15minutes to go Holmes was yellow carded meaning for 10minutes the toon men played with 13.

Outhalf Steele was disallowed a try by the referee for being held up which if given could have turned the game in Ballymoney favour.

Ballymena were deserved winner on the day however Ballymoney can take a lot of credit for the determination and committment they showed on Saturday.