Antrim started the stronger of the two sides and opted to play into the wind to give themselves an easier second half. With near perfect conditions Antrim were soon in control and worked their way up the pitch with strong forward play before shipping the ball to the backs to gain more ground.
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The game twist and turn before any points were scored with lose hands from both sides but it was the Antrim side how came out on top with a set move Ben Siri raced through the Malone defence to score under the posts and converted by Ben Cathcart Antrim lead 7-0
The restart was sent deep into Antrim’s but a defiant Darren Crooks took the ball well and smashed into the Malone forwards and sitting up a solid base for the Antrim side to attack. The game slowed down before Antrim made break for the line only to be stopped inside Malone’s 22 Antrim were awarded a penalty, taken quickly Andy Chestnutt showed his presents be surging off two or three tackles before crashing over the line, converted lead was now 14-0.
With Antrim gathering momentum most of the game was played in the Malone half with great work between the forwards and backs Antrim looked set to capitalise on the possession but couldn’t convert. Malone started to get back into the game and where soon back Antrim half however the Antrim defence stood strong and it was long until the boys in blue had their hands on the ball. With the forwards sucking the Malone backline in Antrim Shipped the ball wide and a great running line form James Conway split the Malone defence wide open and raced home from the halfway line to score Antrim last try of the first half, converted Antrim lead 21-0 going into the second half.
The second got under way and with the wind in Antrim’s favour it looked set to be an enthroning half and Antrim had started the second half on a high and within minutes there in the Malone’s 22 only for a knock on giving Malone a chance to clear. Malone had a solid scrum a moved the ball out to their ten who broke his first tackle and raced home to score in the corner, unconverted the score was now 21-5
From the restart Antrim had to respond. With Dan Philps replacing William Smith on the wing raced through the Malone Backline after Steve Curns took a crashing ball and offload for Dan race clear and touch down under the posts converted Antrim extend the lead to 28-5.
Antrim then replaced Billy Smith for Dave Sharp how was making his last appearance for the club and Gavin Wilson for Robert Nimms. Antrim had the chance to take a scrum from the kick off but give Malone the opportunity to kick again which didn’t work in Antrim’s favour as a long ten minutes of play saw Malone push for the line and crashed over to score, converted the Score was now 28-12
Once again Antrim had to gather themselves. The restart saw the Malone gather but not for long with the Antrim Forwards breathing down their necks and soon had the ball back on the Antrim’s side. With play moving towards the Malone line the Antrim forwards kept the ball tight and worked the Malone defence before Michael Duncan picked up to dash through the line and touch down for Antrim’s 4th try, converted Antrim lead 35-12.
The kickoff saw Antrim back in possession and quickly moved the ball to the backs who created an overlap to send Ben Siri racing down the line only to be stopped by the Malone Fullback. With the ball in Antrim’s hands they moved it quickly back across the pitch before a Malone Hand knocked the ball forward giving a scrum to Antrim on the 22. Antrim were then award a penalty and the quick thinking of Andy Cameron took it quickly catching Malone sleeping and scored the final try of the day, converted Antrim had a well deserved win of 42-12
It was a very positive performance from every player. Final score Antrim 42 Malone 5s 12. Antrim would like to thank Dave Sharp for his time spent at the club and hope him and the family all the best in the future.
Although every player gave it his all, Man of the Match was awarded to Andy Chestnutt.
