Ballymena Youth Sweep Lisburn Aside
Ballymena Youth sides travelled to Lisburn on Saturday eagerly looking forward to an the first matches in the league campaign.
The Under 17s were a new side with five players playing in only their second match and one player making his rugby debut. However from the first whistle you would never have known – from the outset the boys set about Lisburn in ruthless fashion. With the Ballymena pack in full flow an early break by prop Hyndeman set the scene for the day. His strong run down the wing saw him release McCallion. The ball was then transferred to the outhalf Appleton whose intelligent run and pass saw him release Millar for an excellent score in the corner. The boys were now on their way and more was to follow. With Clarke and Davison dominating in the loose the forwards were soon giving the backs go forward ball. A strong run from winger McNeill saw him brought down in Lisburn’s twenty-two. However the Braid boys were quick to the ball and McGarry’s quick thinking saw him release Gilkinson and he sprinted clear to score under the posts. Ballymena were now piling on the pressure and a strong forward drive from McLoughlin saw him stopped inches from the line. McBurney scooped up the ball and moved it quickly to Whelan. His pass released Millar who crossed for his second try of the game. The second half was to be more of the same with the 17s dominating possession in all areas of the field. The backs were now being given the freedom to run and a clever running line saw the impressive McCafferty cross under the posts for the first of his two tries. Within minutes a loose kick from the Lisburn backs was collected by new signing Edwards – despite playing in only his second game of rugby – he showed excellent pace and awareness to race clear of the Lisburn defence and touch down under the posts. Further tries from McCafferty and Millar simply emphasised the dominance of the 17s. This was an superb performance from a very talented but inexperienced team.
Final score Lisburn 0 Ballymena 41.
The 13s were in equally dominant form and kept up their 100% start to the season. The game started well for the 13s when some excellent interplay saw Mills reased on the wing. He sprinted clear of the covering defence to score under the posts. The try was converted by Harper and the boys were on their way. The Ballymena pack have dominated opponents season and this trend continued. Van Loggrenburg’s strong run saw the ball moved to the impressive Lamont who crossed under the posts. Two further tries from Roebuck and McGarry, converted by Mills, saw the game move firmly away from the home team. The second half was to see more pressure piled on Lisburn and Lamont completed a hat trick of tries which capped an excellent performance for this strong forward. Lisburn were no match for the strength of the Ballymena boys and the final whistle brought relief to the home team.
Final Score Lisburn 5 Ballymena 57.
The Under 15s made it a clean sweep after going behind to an early Lisburn score. The boys showed that they are a force to be reckoned with and despite the absence of several key players they produced a first class performance. With scrum half Jonny Crooks and outhalf McNeill contolling the possession the backs soon broke free and tries from Simon Crooks and Jennings soon took the boys into the lead. The impressive George added three tries in the second half to turn the match into a very one sided contest. The boys have started their league campaign in the best way possible and now look forward to the visit of Ballyclare next week.
Final Score Lisburn 7 Ballymena 67.
The Under 19s are in a different league from the other youth sides and they played host to Coleraine on Saturday. The game was to be a tight affair with Ballymena disrupted by injuries in several key positions. With the boys finding it difficult to settle in the early minutes the Coleraine backs took full advantage and took the play deep into the Ballymena half. Only some excellent tackles from man of the match McKee saw Coleraine held up short of the line. However the Ballymena boys soon began to get into the game. The impressive Bowes twins ensured that Coleraine were now being put back in the tackle area. This allowed possession to get to the backs and Lowry was able to release Gaston and Crabbe whose strong runs took Ballymena into the visitors half. However the boys were robbed of the services of the impressive Rainey when he turned an ankle. This meant further changes and McIlwaine now slotted into the back row. The match remained tight right up to half time. However shortly before the break the 19s forwards really got the bit between their teeth. Spurred on by the Kane and McLintock they drove to the line before Spence surged across for his first try for the Club. McNeill converted and Ballymena took this lead into the break. The second half was a totally different match with Ballymena dominating the possession and playing most of the game in Coleraine’s half. With hooker Shearer dominating in the scrum Coleraine were deprived of any go forward ball and this allowed Nelson and Johnston to probe deep into Coleraine’s twenty-two. On four occasions the 19s were adjudged to have been held up over the line. Whilst this was frustrating it did show the dominance of the pack. A strong run by prop Wilson saw him push the Coleraine number eight aside before releasing Crawford who sprinted clear for a deserved try in the corner. The 19s kept going and only some strong tackling saw Mullan held up close to the line. Coleraine were unable to make any impact on the game and the final whistle saw the score Ballymena 12 Coleraine 0.