Eaton Park men return undefeated from South Africa
BALLYMENA Rugby Club's under-21 side return home today on the back of an unbeaten three-match tour of South Africa. The tour has been an unprecedented success with three wins from three games and is an experience that will stick in the minds of the entire tour party. After defeating a Villagers side in appalling weather conditions, the next two victories came when the team travelled to George with defeats over Mossial Bay 19-0 and Oudshoorn 21-15.
The victory over an strong Mossail Bay side was impressive upon two accounts - firstly, Ballymena kept another clean sheet and also, Mossail Bay had not been beaten in two years. The victory was made even sweeter when it emerged that many of the Mossail Bay side were over 21 and in fact Ballymena had played their First XV rather than the under-21 side. The game was a extremely physical encounter and both packs competed every set piece with much determination. Ballymena's pack eventually took the upper hand and began allowing the exciting back line to penetrate the Mossail Bay defence. Ballymena were rewarded by the first score midway through the first half when Adam Couples eventually crashed over having fended off his tacklers. Craig Woods added the conversion. Ballymena increased their lead shortly before half time when James Taggart scored from a great maul that was set up from a lineout. Mossail Bay had a resurgence after half time, but a extremely determined defence effort repelled any attacks. In fact it was Ballymena who scored next when Craig Woods pounced on an opposition error and raced the length of the pitch to seal Mossial Bay's fate, 19-0. The game was certainly not won at this point as Ballymena endured a bruising challenge for the rest of the game. It was however Ballymena who left the pitch with injuries but, more importantly, a victory.
Due to the nature of a tour, there is a night of unbridled celebration but thereafter the focus must turn to the next game. This was set to be the most difficult of the three encounters with word reaching Oudtshoorn RFC, that Ballymena represented all things positive about Irish rugby. This collaboration of information was evident when the sides ran on to the pitch on Friday evening. Ballymena's young side looked merely boys compared to a tough team that would have fitted in comfortably to AIL Division One rugby. Oudtshoorn in some ways intimidated the Ballymena side in the early exchanges, and soon took away Ballymena's unblemished 'no points conceded' record with a fine try from the full-back. The young Blacks were not to settle for second best and captain David Beggs rallied his troops to fight fire with fire. It was a encounter not for the faint hearted with Ballymena putting their bodies on the line at every opportunity. Ballymena set about taking the territory back step by step and eventually the forwards engineered space for the back line. The Ballymena backline was well equipped to exploit this opportunity with elusive runners throughout. It was Matthew Banks who dispatched the score and rewarded a fine team effort, as well as fine personal tour. Ballymena were then reduced to 14 men when Beggs was sin-binned for 10 minutes, it was a valiant effort from the side and eventually Ballymena went in at half time 11-5 up, thanks to two penalties from Ross Connor. Ballymena's team ethic shone through in the second half when they collectively took it to Oudtshoorn. The home team was clearly tiring and the younger legs of Ballymena was more influential than the size of the South African outfit. The size however had a momentarily victory when Oudtsoorn reclaimed the lead when the prop bundled over. Ballymena remained calm and kicked a penalty taking the game into the last five minutes with Ballymena trailing by one point at 15-14. Oudtshoorn restarted having kicked a penalty of their own, unfortunately for them the ball fell into the arms of Cupples. The flanker set about scoring the best individual try seen by any of the tour party when he eluded tackle after tackle embarking on the Oudtshoorn try. Finished off with a fine chip and chase, Ballymena's travelling support were elated and Cupples was congratulated by the entire team. The jubilation was compounded when Connor kicked the conversion, score: 21-15. A tense three minutes followed but yet again a valiant effort from the young Blacks secured the most famous of wins. The tour has been a major success and winning three games out of three on South African soil is one that every player will savour for a long time.
This squad has the potential to bolster this year's Ballymena senior squad and indeed Ballymena teams for years to come. Outstanding team performances was only possible due to the efforts of talented individuals. A special mention should be reserved for the two props Andrew Ferguson and Simon Murphy. Good scrummaging and all round play was the foundations on which the remainder of the team build upon. Murphy, in fact, won the player of the tour award, as he stood out not only because of his unique hairstyle but also his playing ability. Murphy played the complete three games, while another who did the same was Patrick Harper. Harper and his half back partner Simon Ross orchestrated many of the exciting play of the backs but were more importantly prepared to put their bodies on the line. 'Bodies on the line' was the motto of the loose forwards comprising of Keith Lamont, David McKee, Adam Cupples, William McKay, Alasdair Frazer, David Perry and Andrew Boyd. Their work ethic was second to none and were abrasive in both defence and attack. Hookers James Carmichael and James Taggart had differing styles but both equally complemented the team with fine performances in the tight and the loose. Captain David Beggs led the team with a great level of maturity and determination on the pitch and will savour three victories in the southern Hemisphere.
The back line played an exciting brand of rugby that taught the South Africans a few lessons about running rugby. The talented Alan Smyth, Chris Brigl, Matthew Banks, Richard Maybin, Craig Woods and William Montgomery produced performances that would carve open the best of defences and showed impeccable hands. The weeks of hard work and training before the tour party left Ballymena paid off and the entire 31 man squad all contributed to the success of the team. Coaches Glen Boyd and Daryl O'Kane deserve a huge deal of credit and implemented the correct tactics. The man who made the tour possible, however, was Trevor Gillen. Trevor's dedication to this team had been unrivalled for a number of years now and the respect is reciprocated from the entire squad. Trevor spent many hours over the past year and a half along with Glen Boyd planning this tour and has produced something that he should be very proud of. The tour will last in the memory of everyone, especially Trevor who endured a few sleepless nights worrying about the wellbeing of his team.
