Match Reports
U7’s Belfast Harlequins v’s Ballymena
After heavy rain overnight the sky cleared for Ballymena RFC U7’s trip to Belfast to take on the flamboyant Harlequins and come away with a well contested 7-7 draw. The U7 pitch was very tight compared to the Eaton Park expanses, and showed some evidence of the previous nights downpour, however both teams soon adapted to the underfoot conditions to put on an impressive display of open running mini rugby with all the discipline and flowing enthusiasm one has come to expect from this age group.
Ballymena selection was made difficult due a number of players being called up for International duty including Sam McDonald (ski holiday), Alan Murdoch (Spanish beach resort), Joseph O’Rawe and Jonathan Campbell (half term holidays away). Injuries also reduced the coaches selection with young Jacob Mckernan ruled out due to an ear infection, with the medical report quashing any rumours that he was unavailable to travel solely because his dad had exceeded his quota at the ‘big rugby ball’ the previous night! Cameron Millar failed a late fitness test being unable to shake off a persistent tickly cough before match day.
However Ballymena were strengthened with the return of Ben Maybin and Matthew Hill who had both missed last weeks home match against CIYMS. Right from the pass off it was clear that the teams were evenly matched, but Ballymena were slower to get into their stride and appeared reluctant to communicate with one another in the early exchanges. This showed in the 3rd minute when Quins linked a string of passes together and an enormous gap opened in the Ballymena defence to allow Quins to take the first score. Ballymena’s Tom McMaster complained of a ‘stitch’ which suggested the pre match warm up had been a bit hurried. He soon rejoined the action with his usual vigour and excitement.
The Braid men worked hard to get back into the game and some good refereeing enabled Ballymena to exploit their strengths. Space opened for some good early running from Conor Corr, Tom McMaster, and Alex McBurney, but it was the impressive Tristran McGrath who opened the scoring for Ballymena with an energetic run skirting the touchline, to score tight in the corner. Without the benefit of TV technology the ref had no option but to award the try.
Soon after a dropped pass from Quins allowed Ballymena to capitalise through a darting run from McBurney who was isolated as he headed for the line, but poor Quins defence saw him touch down in the corner with a knee slide worthy of any wedding dance floor!.
The ambitious Reis Pennie had a number of his trademark dancing runs but failed to break through a well organised Belfast defence. It was the Ballymena speed wizard Dean Agnew who finally found a gap, jinking past the last defender and scoring under the imaginary posts.
In attack Quins were well structured and on 8 minutes came close but were just forced into touch with some good last ditch defence from the Ballymena Pennie and McMaster.
The Ballymena defence was aggressive but at times perhaps too flat and this proved particularly ineffective when Quins tallest player dashed through a number of desperate Ballymena tackle attempts to score at the pavilion end. Quins extended their lead a few minutes later despite some good covering touches from Ben Millar and Ben Maybin.
Ballymena fought back and never dropped their heads, and it was John Kennedy who showed the way after linking with Conor Mckillop in mid field, and making an inquiring zig-zag run that left at least six of the Belfast defenders in his wake. He was well supported by Pennie and Mckillop but chose to go alone and touched down in the corner for a superb individual try.
With tails in the air, and everyone wanting to get their hands on the ball, Conor Corr and Jack McPeake displayed some good interplay to engineer a gap for Corr to use his speed and agility to romp home for another Ballymena score. Inevitably Quins came back and demanded the best from the Ballymena defence with Lewis Mewha and Conor Mckillop both making vital touches under increasing pressure. Shortly after Mathew Boyd did just enough to prevent a certain Belfast try with a full body block on their tall talisman.
Ballymena tried a number of times to run the ball out of defence with Scott Williams and Tristan McGrath both putting in a lot of work, but each time a lack of space and direction led to turnover. McMaster sought out space by going deep into his own half but failed to notice an opponents touch and was harshly penalised by the ref who called turnover for travelling after a tag.
Quins scored from the pass off and then immediately returned to the Ballymena line and scored a further 2 without reply, to leave the match balanced on a knife edge. With time running out a turnover on the Ballymena line enabled Jack McPeake to pass off to Hugo Eddis who ran clear and unnoticed by a distracted Quins defence, he reached over halfway before being squeezed into touch by an engulfing wave of Belfast cross field defenders.
From the ensuing pass off Ballymena regained possession and McBurney broke free and cut through a static Belfast defence using both pace and passion to touch down to cheers and applause from the visiting supporters.
Ballymena were buoyed and it showed in their determination to win the ball back from the pass off. Maybin, Pennie, and McKillop hurried Quins and forced the error that presented Ballymena with the ball. McGrath got possession and sprinted into space with puffing cheeks fuelling his determination he skipped past two flailing defenders to score in the corner with an exaggerated swallow dive that would panic a rugby coach at any level of the game!
Ballymena perhaps distracted by the Belfast catering staff setting up the hot dog stall, lost ground straight from the pass off, and Harlequins made good use of an overlap to touch down with the last play of the game, to share the honours. The teams congratulated one another and everyone enjoyed the after match hot dogs. A big thanks to all at Belfast Harlequins who helped make it such a great day.
Ballymena host CIYMS
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Saturday 12th February saw Ballymena Mini Rugby play host to CYIMS. For once the weather was good, a slight nip in the air that was soon forgotten in the heat of the matches being played.
Teams from under 7 through to under 12 took part in a series of matches which were hotly contested. The new IRFU format for mini rugby does not record the score, and is designed to encourage participation at this age grade. Somebody forgot to tell the players though as all the matches were tightly contested affairs and in the balance Ballymena were slightly more dominant on the day.
The rugby played was fast, free-flowing and exciting. You could see the influence the Six Nations being on TV was having as the kids tried their hardest to emulate their heroes. Some fancy footwork and crunching hits were provided by both teams. Next week is an away match against Belfast Harlequins.
We would like to give you the opportunity to come and get rid of the winter mud off your car and help raise money for disadvantaged children at the same time (all those who attend will be entered for a chance to win a Willie-John McBride signed rugby ball).
The Ulster 24 team (a team from the Ballymena RFC Rascal Coaches) will be at Eaton Park between 1pm and 5pm on Sat 26th Feb washing cars in order to help raise money for their event supporting rugby's charity Wooden Spoon.
The Ulster 24 is an event which involves a team travelling to 24 rugby clubs over 24 hours on the 1st & 2nd April and whilst at each, running a lap of their main pitch. The team hope to raise £2400 for the charity. If you can't make the car wash you can donate on-line at: http://www.justgiving.com/BRFCRascalCoach all those who donate £5 or more on-line will be entered into a free raffle for a signed Ulster RFC shirt.
Ballymena U11s unbeaten by Coleraine
On Saturday Ballymena’s U11s were hoping to continue in the strong form they showed against Ballymoney last week as Ballymena’s Mini Rugby section hosted Coleraine at Eaton Park. The boys have been showing increased confidence in each other in recent weeks and, as the Bulls took to the pitch first, showed this as they received the opening kick-off and marched efficiently and ruthlessly down the field. It seemed only a matter of time before the boys scored and, having been camped on the Coleraine line for some time, punished slack Coleraine rucking which allowed 2nd row Pattison to peel over for the try.
The backs were, as always, marshaled by the impressive Weir with Harpur and Bracewell combining well in the increasingly wet conditions to provide Ballymena another score. Strong forward play by Hargy opened up the Coleraine defense for the backs to score another try and although the conditions were terrible, the Ballymena handling was immaculate. In the end the Bulls won 5-0.
As the rain continued to fall the Ballymena Braves then took to the field against the refreshed Coleraine team who from the off, attacked strongly and within a minute had their first try of the day. On other days heads might have fallen but Ballymena responded well with Johnston making a break from the half way line to score in the corner. This was an impressive performance from Johnston who has only been playing rugby for 6 weeks! As always fly-half Emery moved the ball efficiently to his backs with centre McDonald making some strong runs against the Coleraine defense. In the end the Ballymena strength overpowered the Coleraine team with the boys coming out 4-3 winners.
Ballymena U11s impress against Ballymoney
We all know days when we wake up and nothing goes right – the alarm hasn’t sounded – we’re late for work AND we’ve burnt our toast! Thankfully, these days are few and far between and we generally survive somewhere between the good and the bad. On rare occasions however, everything goes right - when everything we do or say turns out for our own good. On these days, all we can do is ride the wave and hope that it continues…
On Saturday such an occasion happened for Ballymena’s U11s against Ballymoney at Eaton Park. This has typically been a tough affair in recent years with Ballymoney holding the honours both in 2008 and 2009. However, this year they encountered both the Ballymena Bulls and Braves in stupendous form. From the kick-off, the matches were never in doubt with the Bulls in particular dominating in the pack and using their backs to spread the ball and create spaces time after time. Their dominance was typified by one play when after the forwards had won some 3rd phase ball, scrum-half Gaston passed a long floating ball for wing McIlroy to skip in, untouched for the try. The Bulls won both games 4-1 and then 4-2.
Meanwhile the Braves won both their games 9-0 and 5-4. Special mention must be made of 2nd row McAuley who racked up a personal record of 4 scores in the first game and passed through the Ballymoney defence like a hot knife through butter. Indeed it wasn’t the Ballymoney tackling that stopped him, but rather his own exhaustion!
Rarely have the U11 boys enjoyed such occasions, playing a complete game of forward rucking and backline attack.
Nothing could go wrong on Saturday. Let’s hope it continues next week against Coleraine.
2009/10 Season
To see reports of 09/10 click here.