Saturday saw Ballymoney travel to Barban Hill, Dromore, in unfavourable conditions for the flowing rugby we have come to expect from the team. The men from The Toon would not be disheartened by the weather and emerged as victors 24-16 although neither side were able to show their true potential under the poor conditions.
The game kicked off and early handling errors resulted in scrums making up the majority of the initial collisions on the pitch. In recent years Ballymoney have struggled to hold their own against the larger Dromore pack but the experience has gathered within the front row and the contest up front was evenly matched; both teams piling the pressure on at every scrum.
It was not a day for line outs and neither side could get to grips with a greasy ball. Ballymoney were not able to impose themselves on the Dromore side as they normally do with sides which allowed Dromore to take their first points of the day through a catch and drive from a line out deep within the Ballymoney 22 metre line.
Ballymoney were able to get the scoreboard ticking over through the boot of James Cleland scoring a total of 9 points on the day. Other points came from an ambitious drop goal from scrum half Scoot Nelson, who when under pressure from encroaching defenders just outside the opponents 22, slotted one between the post.
Ballymoney got their first try of the game from good work at a lineout allowing Jonny Hanna to cross the line with ease from the same move that allowed him to score only 2 weeks ago.
Dromore replied with some consistent pressure from their pack and eventually worked their way into the Ballymoney 22. Controlled attack from Dromore and over zealous defensive work saw Dromore cross for a try that Ballymoney were kicking themselves about.
The game got into the last 10 minutes and both sides were edgey and looking to put the game to bed. Ballymoney did when they sustained pressure deep in the opponents 22. The forwards gathered and retained possession time after time and eventually their efforts were rewarded through a try from Flanker Andrew Surgenor.
Captain Nelson commented “ Being from Dromore, I knew how tough a game this was going to be; they are a side that never lie down. I am happy that we got a win but there are things which we must work on before we face Coleraine in 2 weeks.”
Ballymoney RFC 4thXV
Saturday 18th September 2010
Ballymoney 4’s entertained Carrick 3’s at home. This was their first league match of the season, under the captaincy of Ricky Millar. Ballymoney kicked, off playing towards the club house, with the elements in their favour, and immediately put Carrick under pressure in their 22. After a few minutes of sustained pressure, Carrick gave away a penalty, which Ryan Moore kicked over to make the score 3-0.
Ballymoney continued to dominate in all aspects of the game and were camped on the Carrick try line when Ryan Moore broke through 2 tackles, only to knock the ball, on as he went over the line. The referee disallowed the try. Ballymoney retained the ball from the kick off, allowing Ryan Moore to place a kick into the corner. The Carrick No 15 failed to make touch. John Wade, the ‘flying prop’, caught the ball on the line, and with some good inter-handling, allowed Ballymoney, yet again, to reach the Carrick goal line: only this time Ballymoney came away with 5 points after a quick ruck and Davy Smith delivering an inch perfect pass to John ‘the hands’ McPherson. Due to the adverse weather conditions, Aidy White was unable to convert the try.
From the kick-off, yet again, Ballymoney took control, and through some good phases of play, Ballymoney were again on the Carrick try line. At this point Nicholas ‘Pickles the new boy’ Armstrong smashed over for another try. Again this wasn’t converted. We turned around in the second half to play up hill, against the elements. Ballymoney went to sleep for the next 15 minutes and allowed Carrick to score a try. Ballymoney then dug deep and ground out the final winning score of 13-5. A special mention must go to the father and son combination in the back row who played extremely well, still undecided who earned ‘man of the match’. A special congratulations goes to the real ‘man of the match’ Wallace Gregg, whose wife Joan gave birth to a healthy baby boy!
