Ballymena Academy were involved in two extremely close games this week, both against opposition who, like them, are seeded to enter the Schools’ Cup at the fourth round stage. In the space of three days, the County Antrim school enjoyed both the thrill of winning and the disappointment of losing a game in the final minute.
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On Wednesday, Ballymena entertained Sullivan Upper School who had just returned from training camp in Portugal and who have enjoyed some excellent results this season already. Following several missed penalty attempts, Ballymena were first to score a try when Duncan Maguire powered over from close range. The conversion was unsuccessful and early in the second half, Sullivan replied with a try of their own when their wing was on hand to touch down following a good break by their out half. The successful conversion took Sullivan into a 7 – 5 lead.
The second half was littered with penalties with both teams ill-disciplined at the break down. As a result, neither side established dominance of territory or possession and it looked like the away team were going to hold on for a victory. However, in the final minute of the game, following a sustained period of pressure on the Sullivan line, Oliver Simpson sneaked over for a try which was converted by Thomas Gaston to leave the final score at 12 – 7 to Ballymena Academy.
Three days later, Ballymena travelled to Ballyclare and took an early lead when Justin Jolly showed determination and strength to score from close range. When the Ballyclare hooker had to leave the field midway through the first half, the scrums went uncontested and remained so for the rest of the game. This certainly had an effect on the pattern of the game and the home team took better advantage of the platform of the uncontested scrums.
Early in the second half, Ballyclare reduced the deficit to 5 – 3 when their out half landed a penalty following a Ballymena infringement at the breakdown. Ballymena replied immediately with an unconverted try from Adam Kirk and looked set to hold on for a 10 – 3 victory.
However the home team rallied in the final minutes and added an unconverted try to take the score to 10 – 8. Straight from the kick off, Ballyclare maintained possession for several phases and were awarded a penalty within kicking distance. Their out half confidently slotted the kick and the final whistle sounded with the final score reading 11 – 10 in favour of the home team.
