Ballymena travelled to Munster for the third time this season to play UL Bohs in round six of the Ulster Bank league. It has been three years since the teams last met and in this fixture the teams also contest the Arthur Ferguson Memorial Cup. Ballymena are currently holders of the cup and Andrew Ferguson flew in from Manchester to make the presentation.
With Paul Pritchard a late withdrawal, Willie McKay was drafted into the starting team and given the honour of captaining the side.
Ballymena started briskly against the team with reputedly the best defensive record in this AIL section. Despite several good phases of back line moves Ballymena found that indeed they were up against a sound defence.
On their first visit to the Ballymena 22, Bohs created some good attacking moves of their own, and in doing so won a penalty with JJ Hanrahan slotting over to give the home side the lead 3-0.
Ballymena came back at the hosts with Luke Marshall, returning from injury, looking particularly
sharp along with Blane Mcilroy and Martin Irwin providing quick ball to allow the line to move. The game continued at pace and certainly entertained the spectators with its fast flowing rugby from two enterprising young teams.
On 30mins and with Ballymena creating most of the attacking moves, but still finding no way through the stubborn Boh’s defence, John Semple kicked an excellent drop goal from the half- way line to get the visitors off the mark at 3-3 .
Bohs attacked the restart putting pressure back on Ballymena and some excellent defence work by Jimmy Carson relieved the situation. On the clearance kick Semple followed up well only to be taken out when jumping for the ball, and although not seen by the referee, this seemed to spur Ballymena on.
A very entertaining first half finished 3-3, with some discussion on the incident.
Ballymena started the second half attacking the Boh’s end winning two quick penalties, the first pulled left of the post but the second was good to give them the lead on 48mins at 3-6.
An interception by the quick thinking Ballymena back-line was brought back by the referee for off-side and Hanrahan’s successful kick drew the teams level at 6-6 on 60mins.
Shortly after Boh’s no8 Sean Rennison was yellow carded for continual offending at the breakdown.
Ballymena did not let up and continued with attack after attack and it was on 65mins when the break-through came. After a number of good line runs, Richard Aingworth went in for the game’s opening try with the visitors re-taking the lead 6-11.
Two minutes later Josh Christie showed good pace the make 40metres. The ball was recycled quickly and another good display of back line handling and running saw Ricky Andrew go in for a try in the corner. An excellent touch-line kick from Semple added the extra two points to extend Ballymena’s lead at 6-18 on 68mins.
Ballymena kept up the pressure and on 70mins the quick thinking Ali Fraser picked up a loose ball and had the pace to beat the chasing defenders to the line and scored his team’s third try, to put them three scores ahead with ten minutes remaining.
Bohs replied with a try of their own, after a spell of pressure on the Ballymena line. The conversion reduced the deficit and the score on 75mins was 13-23.
Ballymena got the bonus point two minutes from time with an excellent run from the recently returned Roger McBurney, making 50 metres, then finding John Andrew in support to race over for his first try in the senior team. Semple converted to leave the final score 13-30 to Ballymena in what was their best display this season.
Despite last minute hand bags from the frustrated home team the referee ended the match and Andrew Ferguson presented the Cup to Willie McKay to everyones applause.
Final Score UL Bohemians 13 – Ballymena 30
2nd XV in Junior Cup Semi Final
Following that great victory over Cooke, Ballymena 2nds have been drawn away to Coleraine in the Semi Final of the Junior Cup. Kick off next Saturday (3rd December) at the Lodge Road will be the usual 2:30 pm.
