2XV fight back for Bonus Point in Portadown
By Matthew Dunlop
Ballymoney 2XV turn things around and come away with a valuable point, despite a poor first half performance.
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Ballymoney 2XV travelled to Portadown on Saturday for a top of the table clash with the County Armagh side. Adrian Graham made a welcome season debut in the second row, while Nathanael McCollum returned from New Zealand to take up a place in the back row. Thomas Skelton, home for the weekend, slotted in at 10.
Discipline would be a key focus for the 2XV, as luck would have them face the same official that handed out 3 yellow cards to the 1XV the previous week. Worryingly, Ballymoney where caught off guard early, with a number of loose offloads and handling errors proving very costly. Within 25 minutes the Toon found themselves 22-0 down, conceding 3 tries and a penalty.
With half time approaching, the Ballymoney pack were determined to make a difference. Having conceded a scrum on half way, the pack caught Portadown off guard. Led by the front row of Daniel McCord, Craig Anderson and Andy Brown, they pushed the opposition off their own ball and forced a penalty. Skelton was then able to put Ballymoney in a strong attacking position with his kick to touch.
For the first time in the game, Ballymoney managed to execute their patterns and put together a number of phases, with the heavies up front carrying well. Smart play from Skelton snapped play towards the blindside, where he kicked in behind, forcing Portadown’s covering defence to fumble and turn possession back to Ballymoney. Quick ball from Matthew Dunlop at scrum half found David Barkley down the short side, who in turn popped a short ball to captain and full back Russell Irwin who scored in the corner – the 2s where finally off the bus. Half Time score, 22-5 to Portadown.
Ballymoney took that momentum into the second half and found themselves with a line out deep in opposition territory. Adam Hewitt called the line out to himself and set up the maul. The ball made its way back to Matthew Pollock, formerly scrum half, playing his second consecutive game in the back row. With the maul still moving forward, Pollock was able to ground the ball for Ballymoney’s second score. 22-10, but things were to take another turn.
Portadown responded strongly, with their fast, strong running 12 causing all sorts of problems. Poor defence out wide meant the home side where able to cross for another 2 tries. With 60 minutes played, heads dropping and 32-10 down, the away victory was looking unlikely. However, Ballymoney were still determined to turn their performance around.
They attained valuable territory, regained their focus and built the phases, allowing Nathanael McCollum to power his way over the line for the try.
Now the focus was very much on securing a 4th try, and as a result, a bonus point which could prove important at the end of the season. Despite conceding a 6th try, Ballymoney once again worked their way into the 22. Following the blueprint from their last score, they patiently moved through the phases, carrying towards the line. Simon McCrea, only on the pitch for a short while, was able to step through the tackle of his opposite man to score. Nigel Nevin converted.
Three minutes later, Ballymoney once again found themselves on the score sheet. Pollock, who had chased the kick off hard all day, won back possession for Ballymoney, and after a couple of phases, Nevin found David Barkley, who dotted down in the corner, but that was to be it, as the referee blew his final whistle. Final score, Portadown 39 – 27 Ballymoney.
Ballymoney 2XV will be very disappointed in their first half performance citing a lack of composure and accuracy for falling behind so badly. They can however take heart from the attitude shown in the second half to fight back and gain a point from a game that looked to be drifting away – showing what can be done when heads remain calm and the patterns are executed.
