IV XV 0 v Holywood RFC II XV 18
Holywood win 18-0 CLICK HERE for action shots
The match ended early with a neck injury for Leon Beattie. Fortunately it has not proved to be serious.
Ballymoney take the spoils
by Andy Borthwick
II XV 13 v Coleraine RFC II XV 10
Derby win for 2nd XV CLICK HERE for action shots
Ballymoney hosted Coleraine 2nd XV in the Junior league encounter, knowing that they had to win to maintain distance from the relegation battle.
With the 1st XV making a few changes, the 2s could choose from a shuffled deck, and the forwards in particular had a strength that has not always been there this season.
Danny Platt and Andy Gardiner came in for Mulholland and Allan in the second row, and in the back row Andy Surgenour and John Richmond were looking to get some more game time under their belts after a disrupted season so far. And in the front row Andy Brown was rewarded for some strong showings in the 3rds.
The forward pack would prove to be the difference in this game – the cold rain and wind meant that handling was tough in the back line. Indeed from the start Coleraine served notice that they would scrap for every loose ball with a dogged determination that upset any rhythm Ballymoney could put together.
The first try of the match came from Coleraine – some good ball retention and strong running burst in midfield allowed them to burst through a disorganised defensive line for the opening score.
At this point Coleraine were looking the more cohesive unit, having more success at the breakdown, where they were clearly fired up. Coleraine were also on top in the lineout, putting pressure on Montgomery’s throwing every time. This allowed their fly-half to kick at will, mixing chips with clearing kicks to keep the defenders guessing.
Ballymoney’s pack, however, started to use their strength to get a foothold in the game, causing turnovers of their own and even stealing a scrum against the head.
And it was the pack that got the first try, a well executed catch and drive from a lineout just inside the 22 allowed Surgenour to break from the maul and crash over in the corner.
The second try came 15 minutes later – a carbon copy of the first, with Coleraine having no match for the well organised maul from the lineout, and Callum Macdonald emerged with the ball this time for the try that drew the scores level at 10-10.
John Richmond was unlucky to see a yellow card for a cover tackle that slipped up to the collar of the winger – but the referee had stated his case already to captain Smyth, and stuck to his word.
With both kickers finding it difficult, Nathanial Steele eventually found a steady footing to knock over a penalty with 10 minutes to go. That would prove to be the winning points as both teams pushed hard but could not break through again.
Full credit goes to the pack this week, with Danny Platt having an outstanding game in both defence and attack. John Richmond carried an immense amount of ball, making yards every time, and Andy Gardiner was everywhere in attack and defence. Credit must also go to Andy Brown who stepped back into the second team like he had never been away.
After the game, the In Touch cameras were rolling. Captain Smyth was pleased to get a tough win over the local rivals, and coach Shields called out the performance of the pack in particular in getting the result.
The 2s have no game next week, but will be hard at work in training preparing for the trip to Clogher Valley in the Crawford Cup on the 1st of February.
