Ballymena 12 Harlequins 20
BALLYMENA 12
BELFAST HARLEQUINS 20
Quins still need a point from their last league fixture, against UCD in
two weeks time. Ballymena also require a point from their away fixture
at Cork Con to be certain of Division One rugby next season. Reflecting
on victory Andy Ward, again a tower of strength in the 'Quins pack, said:
"It was difficult game, derby games like this are a nightmare to play
in. There is a lot of pressure and tension involved so it was a very good
result for us to come here and win." Few would disagree with Ward's assessment
of a game that was decidedly short of the finer skills. In the end Belfast
Harlequins prevailed because they were the better side, and significantly
they outscored their opponents two tries to none.
In a tight contest tries were always going to be crucial and Harlequins struck for one in each half, while their opponents had to rely on the accurate scrum half Craig Woods for three penalties and a rare drop goal by wing Andy Maxwell.
Ballymena enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges with two penalties by Woods, but as the half progressed 'Quins turned up the heat and after a succession of line outs close to the Ballymena line capitalised with a Ward try with out half Niall O'Connor converting.
That score coincided with the yellow carding of Ballymena prop Simon Shaw, but as the half ended Woods landed his third penalty easing the home side ahead 9-7.
It got even better for Ballymena on the restart with an opportunist Maxwell drop goal.
But as the game progressed Harlequins took control up front and after a delightful break by O'Connor scrum half Paul Marshall dummied his way through for a try under the posts.
Another act of Ballymena indiscipline saw the yellow carding of Pat Steenkamp, and with the game entering the final quarter O'Connor finally closed the door on Ballymena with two late penalties, the second costing Ballymena a bonus point.
BALLYMENA: C Smith, J McGruggan, S Young, P Budina, A Maxwell, S Paul, C Woods, A Kirkpatrick, M Harshaw, S Shaw, I Caldwell, A Graham, G Moore, N McMillan, C Henry. Replacements: P Steenkamp for G Moore, D Best for A Graham, D Drake for J McGruggan.
BELFAST HARLEQUINS: M Kettyle, J Lowe, D Cave, K Pyper, P McKenzie, N O'Connor, P Marshall, N Conlon, S Philpott, J Andress, G Rourke, L Stevenson, A Ward, C Atkinson, A Gillespie.
