Ballina’s second XV hosted a team from Belfast Harlequins last Saturday in what proved to be a highly entertaining match which was well contested by both sides. The home team got off to the best possible start when they scored from the kick off. They maintained control of the ball and moved it wide to winger Robert Melody who showed a great turn of pace and eluded all would be tacklers to cross for a great try. The conversion was missed so Ballina led 5-0.
Harlequins recovered and soon got themselves a foothold in the game, they applied a lot of pressure through flanker Dan Thompson and number eight Matt Slater but they were met with some excellent defence from Ballina. Flanker Rory Lynch was in the thick of the action and he was an effective scavenger for possession as well as an uncompromising defender. Second row Mark Langdon and the front row of brothers Alan and John Keaveny along with Captain Russell O’Brien were also hard working both in the tight and loose play. Eventually Harlequins scored when centre Gordon Black crashed over for a try after a sustained period of pressure on the Ballina line. It remained 5-5 until half time as the conversion was missed, but in the second half Ballina took the game to their opponents once again, out half Kevin McCarron and centres Stephen Lacken and Brian O’Malley running hard at the Belfast men. Full back William Beattie and winger Daragh McDonagh counter attacked at every opportunity but it was Harlequins who scored next when centre Gareth Watson touched down after good handling by the northerners. Winger Mark Scott added the conversion so the score was now 12-5 in his sides favour.
Ballina responded and earned themselves a scrum in their opponents 22. Rodney O’Donnell came on for the injured Russell O’Brien it was to prove a most effective impact substitution as O’Donnell was hardly on the pitch before he crashed over for a try from a ruck close to the line. William Beattie added the conversion leaving the sides level 12-12.
Ballina were not content with that however and kept up the pressure until their reward came when a series of forward pick and drives culminated in Mervyn Kneafsey being driven over in injury time for a try which Beattie converted. The final whistle followed shortly afterwards giving Ballina a 19-12 victory after a very entertaining match.
Next Saturday Ballina’s 2nd XV host Barnhall in what promises to be an equally enjoyable encounter as they continue their competition match preparation. K.O. is at 3pm.
BALLINA: Russell O’Brien, John Keaveney, Alan Keaveney, Kieran Bourke, Gary Langdon, Rory Lynch, Orrie Collins, Mervyn Kneafsey, Alan Jennings, Kevin McCarron, Robert Melody, Brian O’Malley, Stephen Lacken, Darragh McDonagh, William Beattie, Arthur West, Cameron Clothworthy, Liam Ruddy, Craig Culkin.
BELFAST HARLEQUINS: Wayne Storey, Stephen Mountgomery, Martin Malseed, Roger Frew, Eddie Wilson, Dan Thompson, Matt Slater, Dan McRitchie, J.J. O’Neill, Matt Mullen, Gareth Watson, Mark Scott, Gordon Black, Kevin Fogarty, Johnny Watson, Barry Downing, Craig Henderson, Fintan Holland.
REFEREE: Alistair Brown.
