Ballymena 4’s who where struggling for players due to injuries and work commitments turned to the Ballymena under 19’s for help. This saw Paul Rainey, Richard Bamber and William McCooke play their first senior game of rugby. In addition to these youngsters Maury McDowell and Stuart Gilmore were also making their debut for the 4’s.
From the get go Ballymena were on the back foot as a member of the squad had to pull out at the last minute and this left the braid men travelling with 14 men.
The game started with Banbridge on the attack trying to make their extra man count but the braid men stood strong and were defending well.
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Ballymena finally got in the game at 15 minutes when Stuart Gilmore cleared the ball on his own 22. The resulting chase from Paul Rainey saw him charge down the opposing teams attempted clearance. The ball bounced kindly for Ballymena and centre Matt Mulholland collected it to race away from the Banbridge defence to score under the post. Paul Rainey stepped up and kicked the conversion scoring his first senior points on his debut, 0-7.
Banbridge took the restart and again tried to put Ballymena under pressure by spreading the ball wide to stretch the braid men’s defence. No matter what Banbridge could throw at Ballymena they couldn’t find a way to open up Ballymena’s defence.
At 25 minutes Ballymena again turned the ball over in their own 22 but this time quick hands from scrum half Maury McDowell released Matt Mulholland who raced past banbridge’s first line of defence. Banbridge stopped Mulholland just inside their own half but the quick thinking centre popped the ball up to winger Paul Rainey who beat the defending winger and full back to race under the post for his first senior try. Paul Rainey converted his own try, 0-14.
From the restart Banbridge rallied and finally broke down Ballymena’s defence by sending wave after wave of attack though their forwards. At 30 minutes they crossed the white wash to score their first points. The conversion was scored, 7-14.
This score seemed to boost the home side who again found themselves on the attack and just before half time they scored again out wide through a rumbling maul. The conversion was missed. Halftime 12-14.
The second half didn’t start well for Ballymena after a couple of decisions went against them. From the resulting penalty the Banbridge number 8 crossed the line for his first score. The conversion was added, 19-14.
At the restart Ballymena tried to reply and were close to doing so through first centre Lewis Anderson but he was stopped short when the Banbridge prop caught him round the neck. Unfortunately the tackle went unpunished and Banbridge were able to charge up the pitch to score again. The conversion was added, 26-14.
Ballymena who were a man down were starting to tire after some valiant defending for long periods of time against a much bigger team. Banbridge soon scored again from a scrum when their 8 picked up from the back of the scrum to crash over the line. The extra points were added, 33-14
With minutes left on the clock the Banbridge 8 found space to cross the line once again for his third try but this time the conversion was missed. The final score was 38-14.
Ballymena showed great heart in this game and hopefully we will see more from the five debutants who all impressed against a bigger more experience Banbridge team.
Team A.Hayes, R.Bamber, J.Bowes, A.Hughes, W.McCooke, A.Swan, G.Donnelly, M.Moffet, M.McDowell, S.Gilmore, P.Rainey, L.Anderson, M.Mulholland, M.Irwin
