From the first whistle both teams showed their intent on winning. This led to a great game of attacking rugby shown by both sides.
Coleraine drew first blood when their 10 and 12 combined to create space to send their winger over for the opening try. The conversion was added by the try scorer, 0-7.
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From the restart it didn’t take long for Ballymena to get on level terms as great hands from Paul Campbell released Rory Drysdale who broke though Coleraine’s defensive line to pop the ball up to winger Garret Bell. Garret’s pace saw him show a clean pair of heels to the Coleraine covering defender to score. Rory Drysdale added the extras, 7-7.
From the restart a series of mistakes and ill discipline from the braid men saw Coleraine take the lead when their centre crashed over close to the uprights. The conversion was missed, 7-12.
Ballymena bounced straight back with two quick tries of their own. The first coming from Jonny McMullan who raced down the wing to score and other wing Garret Bell got his second try of the game when again his speed saw him cut up the Coleraine defence. Rory Drysdale was on fine form and converted both to leave the half time score 21-12.
Ballymena started the second half by spreading the ball out to the wider channels which kept the ball away from Coleraine’s danger men Andrews and Patterson.
At 50 minutes Coleraine turned the ball over and attacked Ballymena line. Coleraine found themselves with a two man overlap out wide but as they forced the ball wide a looping pass was intercepted by winger Jonny McMullan who raced 80 metres to score in the corner. Rory Drysdale missed the conversion, 26-12.
From the restart Coleraine found the braid men sleeping and added two quick tries of their own after some poor defending from Ballymena. Only one of these were converted which levelled the scores at 26-26.
Ballymena rallied and upped the tempo of the game. The impressive Nick Stirling found space to carve up the Coleraine defence beating several defenders to score at the posts. Rory Drysdale added the extras, 33-26.
At 70 minutes Ballymena finally put the game to bed when strong running from centre Rory Smith saw him cross the white wash. Rory Drysdale converted, 40-26.
With minutes left on the clock, great play from forwards Andrew Ferguson and Peter Wallace allowed full back Rory Drysdale to break through for a well deserved try. Rory Drysdale converted to take the finale score to 47-26.
This was a much tighter game than the score line says but Ballymena played well and deserved this much needed win for the 2’s.
Team N.Hill, A.Ferguson, C.Cundell, M.Foster, G.Hargy, S,McBurney, A.Cundell, P.Wallace, J.Fleming, P.Campbell, G.Bell, N.Sterling, R.Smith, J.McMullan, R.Drysdale
