It was a brace of well taken first half tries by Rory Scholes and the reliable kicking of Owen McMurray and Michael Heaney that won this battle of Ulster League heavy weights. Ballymena could have done better, but their first up kicker John Semple was having a bit of a ‘Brock James’ day at the office, missing penalties in the 6th and 27th mins and a sitter of a conversion.
Quins first try at 15 mins emanated from a straight carry by big Callum Lecky from within his own half; the ball was off loaded to Neill Montgomery and then to Mark Kettyle, who made most of the headway before a great pass allowing Scholes to touch down unhindered. Quins outhalf, Owen McMurray added the conversion.
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Six minutes later Roger McBurney touched down behind Quins posts after some good interlinking between the Ballymena backs. Semple missed the easiest of conversions. Within a few minutes Quins bounced back when Scholes was set free for his second try with a 40 yard run in. The unpretentious McMurray again added the extra points.
At 32 mins, McMurray kicked a magnificent penalty from just inside the Ballymena half. Ballymena clawed 3 points back just before the interval, with a penalty by their newly installed kicker Davy O’Hara. Half time score 17-8.
From the start of the second half, it was apparent that the Quins pack were starting to dominate, particularly at scrum time. Quins were duly awarded a penalty within 1 min of the restart, and the dynamic Michael Heaney, who now took over the kicking duties, was on target. Quins didn’t get it all their own way and ten minutes later, the impressive Andrew Kerr strolled in for Ballymena after wrong footing the Quins defence. O’Hara added the extras. 20-15.
It was apparent that the tension had started to rise amongst the players, with various niggles breaking out. The normally restrained Alistair Heatlie was red carded on the hour mark for an alleged punch to an opponent’s face; probably a bit reactionary by the Ref.
Even when reduced to 14 men, Quins tails were still up and they constantly put the Ballymena line under pressure. The pressure resulted in another penalty being awarded to Quins inside their opponents half. Heaney made good with what was an awkward angle.
The last 8 minutes of the match were played on an even keel, when Ballymena’s James Carson was yellow carded. Quins closed it out and were unlucky not to score another try. Full time 23-15.
Some excellent kicking by McMurray and Heaney pull them in line for Starman and you could have named anyone of the pack. However, the plaudit goes to Rory Scholes for the excellent style he finished his two try scoring opportunities.
Belfast Harlequins:
Greenaway, Montgomery, McGrath, Rourke(c), Lecky, Scott, Babe, Heatlie, Creighton, McMurray, Holmes, Stewart, Kettyle, Pollock, Scholes. Subs: Logan, Lutton, Ferguson, Heaney, Shiells.
Ballymena:
Carson, Warwick, Cundell, O’Kane, Andrew, Kerr, Pritchard, Hackney, O’Hara, Irwin, Semple, Aingworth, Smyth, Fraser, McBurney. Subs: Mulholland, McMullan, McCullough, Adam, Smith.
