Randalstown 3rd XV 20 Ballymoney 4th XV 32 (pic credit Marc Lawrence)
Randalstown 3s were gallant losers at Neillsbrook on Saturday afternoon going down 34-20 to Ballymoney 4s. Aaron Murray’s men started brightly and took an early lead when , after some good work by Ash McClenaghan, Tommy Shannon went over in the corner. Shannon increased the home team’s lead on the quarter hour with a well struck penalty.
The experienced visitors however didn’t panic and within minutes they had hit back with a converted try when the pack drove over from close range. This added to Ballymoney momentum and only some sterling defence from ‘town preventing them from adding to their tally.
Having cleared their lines ‘town worked their way up the field and a turn of pace from fullback Ben Joyce saw him run in. Shannon again added the extras.
On the stroke of half time Ballymoney hit back again with another big drive from the forwards. The conversion was narrowly missed so it was ‘town who turned round a fraction ahead at 13-12.
After the break Ballymoney continued to dominate the close exchanges and were able to add two further tries early in the half to move into a 24-12 lead. The home side were playing some good rugby, trying to move the ball as much as possible, but the old head’s in the visiting 15 were able to do just enough to contain them.
With ten minutes to go ‘Town scored the try of the game. Peter Thompson initiated the move on half way carrying through a couple of tackles. Ferry, Johnston, Gourley and Shannon were all involved before McClenaghan cut back inside from the wing. The move looked to have broken down when ball went loose on the Ballymoney 22, but Gary Paine swept it up and gathering momentum the powerful prop charged through the defence to touch down under the posts. Shannon added the straightforward conversion.
Hopes of a stirring comeback were snuffed out by the visitors as they managed a further converted try and a penalty to take it beyond doubt in the closing exchanges, 34-20 winners of an entertaining game.
Manager Murray was full of praise for his men as they ran opposition, who had defeated them heavily earlier in the season, very close for the majority of the game. The final scoreline probably slightly flattered Ballymoney on the day.
This leaves the 3rds in a very creditable mid table position in a difficult league in which the have only one game remaining against High School on 7th March. There were good performances in the pack by Thompson and Campbell, while Tommy Shannon and Ben Joyce had a good shift in the back line. The team have stuck at their task throughout the season, even when on the wrong side of some hefty defeats, and have many positives to build on in preparation for the final game and indeed next season.
Next Saturday the 1st XV are in league action at Neillsbrook against Academy while the 2nd XV travel to Monaghan for the quarter final of the Forster Cup. The 1sts will hope that their scoring mojo, found in some style at holywood last week, will continue as a good win against Saturday’s opposition could see them move a place or two up the table in Qualifying 2. The seconds meanwhile will hope to progress past Monaghan for a semi-final place in the Forster cup.
