Ballymena 19 Ballynahinch 0
Ballymena made a big improvement on last week's performance and defeated Ballynahinch by 19 points to nil. This score in no way flatters Ballymena who were dominant in the first half when they scored all their points but their dominance in the scrum in the first half was somewhat diminished when it became uncontested scrums 10 minutes into the second half due to injuries to the visitors front row.
Ballymena had a totally different mentality and were hungry for the ball right from the start. They contested every loose ball and were a much more determined side. The game started off on an even keel but as the match wore on Ballymena could sense that the visitors were there for the taking. They were dominant in the line-out and totally superior in the scrums. Possession was no problem but all the usual old problems of bad handling and wrong decisions at crucial times were evident in the early play.
After 6 minutes and a period of sustained Ballymena pressure the home side were awarded a penalty in the Ballynahinch 22. The visitors talked and the referee, quite rightly, gave 10 metres. Don Raw put the ball in the corner and from the resulting line-out the home side gained possession and pushed the visitors over the line with Michael Harshaw getting the touchdown. Don Raw added the extras to give the home side a 7 points lead.
The try seemed to motivate Ballynahinch and they took the game to the home side but Ballymena competed well and, although being pushed into their own 22 for long periods, defended well. Half way through the first half after one of these Ballynahinch attacks Ballymena stole posession and a long kick took play into the visitor's half. Both sides could not secure the loose ball until eventually Chris Smith picked it up and raced away from 40 metres to score and give Ballymena a lead of 12 points. Ballymena took heart from the score and stepped up their game causing the home side to defend desperately. After another good handling move by the forwards and backs Chris Brigl made a good break and was heading for the line. As a defender closed him down he slipped the ball inside to Chris Smith for his second try. Don Raw converted to make the score 19 points to nil.
Ballymena continued to dominate in the second half but good defence kept them at bay. They were camped in the visitors 22 for long periods but just couldn't get a way through. Ballynahinch had their moments but never really threatened the home line. There was no more score in the second half so the home side must be happy with their first victory.
This was a much improved performance on their first match but there is still a lot of work to be done before the AIL starts in October. Don Raw and David Drake performed well together and shoul form a very good partnership behind the scrum. Matt Burke and Hugh Michell played their first match and both will improve the back of the scrum. Andrew Spence made a surprise appearance on the wing and had quite a good game making some good forays into opposition territory and defended well when he had to.
Ballymena: M Banks; A Spence, C Smith, C Brigl(J Semple 76), A Smyth; D Raw, D Drake; A Kirkpatrick(A Ferguson 57), M Harshaw, S Shawe, I Caldwell, D Best, W McAfee (D McKee 46), M Burke, H Michell.
Ballymena 2nd XV 13 Ballynahinch 2nd XV 7
Ballymena seconds continued in their winning ways with a 13 points to 7 victory over Ballynahinch. The score would suggest that this was a close game but that is not so because Ballymena totally dominated the match for the first 70 minutes and really should have been out of sight. Due to their poor decision making and an error strewn afternoon when the line was beckoning they entered the last 10 minutes with a six points lead and had to show their defensive qualities to hold their lead.
Ballymena had to wait 15 minutes for their first score which followed some good phases of play by the forwards and then the backs moved the ball quickly to Robbie McGreer who scored the try. Stewart Paul converted to make the score 7 points to nil. Ballymena kept up the pressure and should have scored a mountain of tries but had to settle for two further penalties from Stewart Paul to give them a half time lead of 13 points to nil. Ballymena continued to dominate the second half but were unable to add to their score. With 15 minutes left to play and still dominating proceedings Ballymena lost possession and a swift Ballynahinch back cut through a gap in the Ballymena defence to score under the posts. Knowing that another converted try would give them victory the visitors threw everything at Ballymena and the home side had to contend with svere pressure in the closing stages. Fortunately they held out but after dominating the match in the end they could so easily have lost it.
The seconds will have to do some work to rid their game of errors and be more ruthless in their finishing.
Ballymena: J Amos; M Smith, J Semple, P Campbell, R McGreer; S Paul, R McCrudden; C Allen, J Taggart, S Murphy, J Andrew, D McKee, B Mairs, A McGrugan, A Cupples.
Ballymoney 2nd XV 10 Ballymena 3rd XV 20
Ballymena thirds travelled to near neighbours Ballymoney to play their third team. The braid men eventually won the match by 20 points to 10. Ballymena were quickly into their stride and took the game to the home side. Yet again the old Ballymena malaise of errors hit the thirds and after dominating the first half all they had to show for their efforts was a Ross Conor penalty. Ballymoney who were second best throughout managed to score 3 points as well.
Ballymena stepped up their efforts in the second half and the forwards really dominated matters. Eventually the reward came when Ross Conor took the ball off a rolling maul and scored the first try. He also added the conversion and had scored all of Ballymena's 10 points. Ballymena soon added another try when they took the ball from a line-out and David Lowry made good ground before passing to Alastair Frazer who broke two tackles to score.
Cruising now Ballymena neglected their defensive duties and a good phase of play by the home team ended in a converted try. This was a wake-up call and Ballymena responded immediately going on the attack. After some good play involving both fowards and backs James Carmichael broke clear to score to secure the win for Ballymena. This final score capped a great display by James who had played most of his rugby in the front row but this season he has moved to the back row. Obviously a very talented young man.
Ballymena: D Lowry; J Kirkpatrick, B Gillen, A Frazer, S McMaster; P Harper, R Connor; K Frame, A Boyd, R Montgomery, D Beggs, T Montgomery, C Rae, J Carmichael, K Lamont.
Banbridge 3rd XV 27 Ballymena 4th XV 17
In a very good game of rugby Ballymena fourths lost to Banbridge thirds by 27 points to 17. This was a game between two very well matched sides with neither getting the upper hand. Banbridge began strongly and put Ballymena under pressure but the Braid men reacted well with good rucking and fought back well. However Banbridge kept up the pressure and got an early converted try.
Ballymena reacted well to this set back and were camped in the home 22 but in their eagerness for a score they lost possession and the home backs made a quick break to score a controversial try in the corner to put Ballymena 12 points behind. The fourths went on the attack again and played much better with good handling and use of the overlap making a gap for Martin Irwin to score. Continued Ballymena pressure and poor home defence created an opening for Jonny O'Kane to score a try and the half time score was 12 points to 10 in favour of the home side.
Early Banbridge pressure produced an early try and a penalty to make the score 20 points to 10 so Ballymena had a big task ahead of them. They rose to the occasion and some fluid rugby was rewarded with a great try by Michael Ashcroft who chipped over the top and won the race for the touch down. David Petrie added the conversion to put 3 points between the sides. Ballymena continued their fight back but spoiled some good rugby with some sloppy play. This resulted in a gift of a tryto the home side to complete the scoring. This was a good display by the fourths and they put up a spirited performance against a very well organised side.
Ballymena: D Suitters; R McGeehan, S Matairavula, M Ashcroft, W Tabuaisil; J O'Kane, S Snow; G Lamont, A Buckle, D Petrie, D Perry, T O'Kane, Shay Blaney, D Gaston, M Irwin.
