Ballymoney progress in Junior Cup
by Andy Borthwick
Ballymoney got their first competitive win of the season over a competitive Lisburn side.
Ballymoney took the field on Saturday looking to carry on their second half form against Coleraine and post a more convincing display. With Lisburn also looking to improve on their results last week, this was always going to be a competitive encounter.
From the start, this was a much improved performance, albeit against a lower division side. A missed penalty in 8 minutes was the only chance in the opening exchanges. After 15 minutes and some sustained pressure, James Cleland got the scoreboard moving with a penalty.
Lisburn were not to be rolled over easily, and two missed penalties after 28 and 31 minutes served as a warning to Ballymoney that this would not be an easy day.
The pressure up front was starting to show, and a Lisburn forward saw yellow just before half time for persistently slowing down ruck ball.
Keen to use the extra man, right on 40 mins, Jonny Hanna got his second try of the season with a pick up from a 5m scrum. A missed conversion, but a better margin to build from.
Ten minutes later, John Laughlin scored after a kick and chase outside the 22. Cleland made no mistake with the conversion this time, 15-0 after 50 mins and coaches Taggart and Beddow were starting to breath a little easier.
On 55 minutes, not wanting to be outdone, Cleland went in for a try himself, but missed the conversion for 20-0. And then a few minutes later Ryan Brace added another, after a break and offload from Cleland.
With 15 minutes to go, hooker Dave Watson picked up a shoulder injury and, with both subs already in play, Ballymoney had to go down to 14 men and unopposed scrums.
Lisburn got on the scoreboard in the last minute with a catch and drive from the lineout, but by that point it was consolation.
After the match coach Taggart said “I was pleased with the result, and we are starting to show signs of playing as a team. But we are still missing scoring opportunities – we need to develop a ruthless streak to finish tries off when they they are available.”
Next week is a return to league rugby, away to Dromore in what is sure to be a tight exchange.
CIYMS were too strong for Ballymoney’s young pack
A seemingly stronger Ballymoney 2XV travelled to play CIYMS 2XV at Shorts Playing Fields on Saturday, however it was to be a long afternoon for the Ballymoney side.
CI’s strong running forwards and a simple game plan, which revolved around their impressive full back, was not handled by the visiting side – who left defensive holes and slipped of tackles.
As CI crossed the try line several times early on in the match, Ballymoney heads dropped, adding to the problem – with a victory out of grasp by half time.
It is always hard to find the positives from a heavy defeat, however Ballymoney did look dangerous in attack out wide and when they held possession for a number of phases.
The inclusion of Thomas Skelton at 10 kept the CI defence on their toes, as a combination of loop plays and a keen eye for a break of his own allowed Skelton and his back line to make some good ground off set piece ball.
In the pack, the experience of Aaron Ramage and Sam Bartlett allowed the Toon to make up the hard yards when the team stuck to their patterns with the little possession they had.
Ballymoney did manage to cross the try line on one occasion, after a driving maul and several strong carries from the forwards, allowed Curtis Montgomery to force his way over the try line – Skelton converted.
Ballymoney also had a few notable try scoring opportunities including a break down the blindside of a scrum by scrum half Matthew Dunlop and wing Sandy McAuley, only beaten by the cruel bounce of the ball.
Skelton was close to a try of his own after spotting a gap in the CI defence, to just be stopped by a tap tackle.
Ballymoney had one final chance towards the end of the match, as they worked their way to the 5 metre line, but a breakdown in communication between backs and forwards meant the chance was squandered.
On the Ballymoney side, Thomas Knight was undoubtedly the man of the match, as his work rate in defence was huge, tracking back on several occasions, making last ditch tackles – most of which were not his responsibility.
Ballymoney will need to bounce back quickly as they welcome Ballynahinch 3XV to Kilraughts Road.
III XV
3s lose 45-7 but take a lot of positives.
