Sat 9th Nov, 11:00am. Ballymena RFC 2s 14 – 36 Ballymoney RFC
Toon 15s win in Ballymena
by Andy Borthwick
Another fine win for the league leaders
Sat 9th saw Ballymoney’s U15’s head up the road to take on Ballymena’s U15’s team on a cold but sunny morning.
Ballymoney were to be playing a league match against Instonians but the match was called off by Inst early in the week. Thanks must go to Ballymena for stepping in with a friendly game against their U15’s..
The game was kicked off in very pleasant conditions by Ballymoney and from the first whistle from the ref on about 10 seconds into the game for a phantom knock on Ballymoney knew it was going to be one of those days!!
The first 5 min of the game was tough on the lads from the Toon as they were being made play with a size 4 ball, Which resulted in some handling errors early on.
In the 10th min of the game Ballymoney’s hooker Philip Beattie pounced on a loose ball got back to his feet and put a lovely wee grubber ball in behind Ballymena’s on rushing defence for winger Matty Bell to run onto and take at full pace to score in the corner for the first points in the game! Bell missed the conversion from the touch line. Score 0-5.
The game continued to be stop/start with a number of penalty fouls and knock ons by both sides.
Ballymena were trying very hard to atone for the heavy defeat at the hands of Ballymoney early in the league. They were pushing their luck and leaving huge space in behind for Ballymoney to capitalise on, when from a chip through from Culbertson at 10 settled just inside the 5m line Ballymena’s fullback chased back – only to knock the ball forward and give the Toon a scrum in a promising position. That scrum resulted in Matthew Mccunaghy picking at no 8 and crashing over for his first of 3 tries he scored on the day.
From a quick tap and go just before half time big Matthew brushed off two would be defenders to score his second try, conversion successful by bell and bring the score to 0-17 the Toon at the midpoint.
Ballymena were not just going to lie down and be turned over at home. They gave it a really good go in the second half and scored 2 converted try’s from their pack.
GAME ON!!!!! Score 14-17
Ballymoney were not about to let a good lead slip and off a line out big Matthew got up highest to catch the ball set up a driving maul and push Ballymena’s forwards over their own line and get his 3rd try. The conversion was missed, leaving the score 14-22.
The Toon lads kicked on from that point and tries from the solid James Orr and Jonny Storey sealed the game for the Ballymoney RFC U15s.
Final score 14-36 Ballymoney, to bring this young team to win their first 5 games on the trot. With the points in the bag from the cancelled Instonians game, and a hard fought victory away to Ballymena, they can be a very proud team of lads as they sit TOP of their league undefeated!
Man of the match for scoring a hat trick of tries and all round hard work throughout the game goes to Matthew Mccunaghy.
Big thanks to Jack Doak from the U13s who played the whole match and almost got on the score sheet in his first ever game for the U15s! Lewis Lyons, Lee Culbertson, and Ashley Tweed from the U13s also made impressive debuts at U15 age group! Well done lads we were all very impressed with your ability and attitude towards the game!
Next week sees the toon lads travel to Dromore and a return to league action. Training Tuesday night at 6 o’clock – new players are always welcome.
Sat 9th Nov, 11:00am. Ballymoney RFC 22 – 0 Instonians
Under 17s Return To Winning Ways
by Uel McDowell
Good result for Under 17s
On Saturday 9 November Ballymoney RFC U17XV hosted Instonians Seahorses in a league match at the Kilraughts Road.
After a poor team performance the previous week the Under 17s welcomed back prop Gary Balmer who reinforced the forwards with his robust play and strong scrummaging.
In fine playing conditions the Under 17s played a controlled game and with the forwards providing good ball for the halfbacks, Chris Campbell and Andrew Young, they attacked Instonians at every opportunity. The centres, Aaron Brown and Tommy McMullan, worked hard and created breaks through the resolute Instonians’ defence, superbly supported by the back row of Matt Johnston, Nathanial McCollum and Gavin Thompson.It was from such play that prop forward Gary Balmer charged over the Instonians’ line to score an unconverted try after ten minutes. The U17s kept Instonians’ under pressure with their kicking and follow up play, and after 20 minutes a high kick from Gary Pattison was chased by wing forward, Gavin Thompson, who tackled the Instonians’ fullback. Gavin retrieved the loose ball and passed to the supporting Gary Pattison who scored the second unconverted try, leaving the halftime score 10-0 to Ballymoney.
The second half resumed where the first finished with Ballymoney launching high kicks into the Instonians’ half and keeping the visitors on the defence. Ten minutes into the second half Ballymoney scored their third try. Matt Johnston, Alan McBurney and Nathanial McCollum, who were destroying the Instonians’ lineout, stole the ball and from the ensuing maul Gary Balmer scored his second unconverted try.
James Wilson replaced the injured Jack Kane on the wing and unsettled the Instonians’ backline by his strong running. With ten minutes of play remaining Man of the Match Gary Pattison scored his second try after a fine break and several nippy sidesteps to break free of the Instonians’ defence. Andrew Young converted,leaving the the final score 22-0 to the Ballymoney lads.
Credit must be given to the Instonians’ team for their honesty and fair play during the game and the Under 17s were unanimous in their praise and respect for the maturity which their opponents displayed.
This was an excellent game for the Under 17s, well captained by Ben Graham, who were able to show their skill and self discipline at all times.
