Coleraine 2XV………20
Ballymoney 2XV……..0
Coleraine 2XV capped a superb season on Easter Tuesday, outclassing local rivals Ballymoney to lift the Crawford Cup at Ravenhill. Ballymoney turned up with a big rumbling pack and spurred on by at least ten lorry loads of supporters, but were sent home packing with Coleraine producing the goods on the day to win by 3 tries to nil. It was usual form for Coleraine, with a solid forward work laying the platform for the backs to score the tries, along with gritty defensive tackling, as has been the case all season long.
Coleraine received the kick off playing with the breeze and soon the ball was punted deep into the Ballymoney half by the reliable boot of out-half Chris Gowland. The early exchanges were rather cagey, being played between the two 22 lines, as neither team were willing to risk too much too early. Coleraine kept it tight in the opening period, using forward runners to grind down the Ballymoney defence, with props Adam Teasey and Adrian Nevin carrying ball effectively. Fifteen minutes into the half, Coleraine showed their potential when the ball was shifted wide to winger Stevie Callaghan who beat his opposite man on the outside down the right wing, only to be ushered into touch by a last ditch tackle by the full back. Ballymoney attempted to reply using their bulky forwards but there was no way round the Coleraine defence with hard tackling by the back row players Greg Neely and Harry Tate. Eventually Ballymoney conceded a penalty on their 10 metre line for holding on and Alan Gourley made no mistake, drilling the penalty between the uprights.
Hooker Stuart Evans claimed the restart and flew straight back into the Ballymoney pack setting up the ball well for scrum half Scott Caithness. A high towering kick was sent up on top of the Ballymoney winger who spilled the ball, gifting possession back to Coleraine. From the resulting scrum, Coleraine produced one of their magical back moves with Stevie Callaghan coming in from the blind side wing to give the pass to full back Paul Shiels who powered through the attempted tackle to score the opening try of the game. Alan Gourley missed the conversion by a whisker, the ball just missing the right hand upright by about twenty feet. Ballymoney finished the first half strongly with waves of attack deep in the Coleraine 22, but however much they huffed and puffed and huffed and puffed, there was no way through the Coleraine defensive wall with no missed tackles and good discipline not to concede any kickable penalties. And so the half time whistle blew and both teams hit the sheds with Coleraine leading by 8-0.
Refuelled the half-time oranges and inspirational pep-talk, Coleraine knew although they were in the lead, playing into a swirling Ravenhill wind, conditions would be against them. Ballymoney attempted to kick long but the Coleraine lineout was solid with hooker Stuart Evans consistently hitting his jumpers Ronnie Caskey or Alex Gourley. Knowing it would be harder to kick into the wind, Coleraine played a close game initially, using captain Stevie Patterson to hit up crash balls from the inside centre, as well as Scott Caithness showing some unusual Irish dancing skills to skip round the Ballymoney defence to gain good yards down the pitch. Second rows Ryan Gibson and Ronnie Caskey were working hard around the pitch, their fitness and speed outplaying their heavier opposite numbers, playing effectively as extra back row supporting every linebreak and breakdown. The second try of the day was set up after good ball retention deep in the Ballymoney half by the forwards, giving a position to spread the ball wide to the backs, who were hungry for quick ball. Kiwi centre Ray Naea showed good hands when delaying the pass to Alan Gourley who rounded the covering defence to score in the corner. Paul Shiels missed the conversion while Alan Gourley lay crumpled in a heap, awaiting resuscitation after his try-scoring exploits.
William Chestnutt then came for Ryan Gibson, and he carried the ball well, with the Ballymoney tacklers hanging off him as he trundled through their pack on a number of occasions. Coleraine continued on the offensive, determined to score further points during a purple patch for the Bannside team. Out-half Chris Gowland had other ideas however, and rather than score more points, decided it would be more interesting to have a closer game and so gave an early Christmas present to former Coleraine player Darren Smith, who took an interception pass after a completely telegraphed backs move. Smith ran as fast as his legs would carry him, but 70 yards was a long way and he passed to his supporting winger who was hauled down yards short of the Coleraine line. Coleraine scrambled in defence and managed to get the ball clear. Further changes were made with props Alan Stirling and local boxing celebrity Paul Brown making their way onto the paddock to beef up the pack, and John McClelland strolling out to partner Stevie Patterson in the centre. Harry Tate, who played on despite being injured in the first 5 minutes was then replaced by Nicky Blair, with Caithness moving to blindside to provide some muscle in the back row. Despite the changes, Coleraine then continued to press and after a box kick into the Ballymoney 22, Alex Gourley and John McClelland raided the Ballymoney defence, to turn over possession and set up another try scoring opportunity. The ball was shifted into the centre of the park where full back Paul Shiels burst through the tackle to score under the posts for another seven-pointer. Coleraine closed out the game keeping the ball tight in the forwards, before the full time hooter was sounded and the celebrations could begin.
So a fabulous end to a great season for the 2XV and just rewards for the many dark evenings of training and long treks to all over the province during the season, were they also finished runners up in Junior 1, just pipped at the post by Ballynahinch. Lifetime achievement award to captain Stevie Patterson who defied age, injury and non-existent knee joints to finish his career lifting a Ravenhill trophy, the same trophy as his father did 30 years ago. Many thanks to Mark Giffen and John Boyd for their commitment and giving up of their time to coach, support and shout loudly at all the players. Now a few months rest and recuperation during the summer months before it all starts again…
Coleraine 2XV: Paul Shiels, Alan Gourley, Ray Naea (John McClelland), Stevie Patterson, Stevie Callaghan, Chris Gowland, Scott Caithness (Nicky Blair), Adrian Nevin (Paul Brown), Stuart Evans, Adam Teasey (Alan….), Ryan Gibson (William Chestnutt), Ronnie Caskey, Harry Tate, Greg Neely, Alex Gourley
