Against the odds Ballymena won an entertaining 2nd XV League game scoring
their last try after they were reduced to thirteen men.
Dungannon started well playing against the wind but Ballymena had the first
scoring opportunity when Alan McCluggage pushed a penalty attempt wide.
However following some pressure on the Gannon line the visitors won a five
metre scrum. An unfortunate mix-up gave McCluggage the opportunity to dive
over for a try.
5 – 0
A fine run from David Egner put Gannon on the front foot and following good
work from the backs Darren Simpson went over for a try that John McGuckin
converted after fifteen minutes.
5 – 7
Ballymena took the lead again but precursor to the score gave further debate
to the recent controversy surrounding Einstein’s theory.
As he moved to
intercept a pass off a ruck the Ballymena No6 must have exceeded the speed
of light. Alas no whistle and E=MC2 proved to be irrelevant as he quickly
passed the ball to Michael Smith who ran over for a try that McCluggage
converted.
12 – 7
Playing with the wind in the second half Dungannon were full of confidence
and got first pints on the board with a John McGuckin penalty on fifty-five
minutes.
12 – 10
Ballymena then showed what could be achieved when they shipped the ball out
wide before Chris Allen galloped over for the try converted by McCluggage on
the hour mark.
19 – 10
The Dungannon backs showed they could take their chances when Chris Swann
fielded a high kick and broke through the Ballymena defence to send Stuart
Lester away for a try on the right.
19 – 15
Dungannon were now creating opportunities but some wrong options and some
crowding out by Ballymena kept them a bay. Indeed it was the Braidmen who
scored next when Alan McCluggage kicked a penalty against the breeze.
22 – 15
Following a penetrating run from Callum Threlfall assisted by Richard Homes
Dungannon were stopped five metres short of the line. Unfortunately young
Ballymena hooker John Andrew was hurt in the tackle and there followed a
lengthy delay as John was attended by medical staff and subsequently taken
to hospital. Post game reports were good, John was released from hospital
somewhat sore but with no long term damage.
This setback spurred Ballymena who battled their way up field for Connor
Smith to score.
27 – 15
Dungannon with Steven Sinnamon and Phil Whyte to the fore went on the
offensive and then thanks to a passing movement involving McGuckin,
Threlfall and Simpson Stuart Lester went through for his second try of the
game.
27 – 20
Alas that was the last move of the game and Dungannon were left lamenting
what might have been.
Team: Christopher Swann. Darren Simpson, Stuart Lester, Gareth McGonigle,
David Egner. John McGuckin, Michael Kirkwood. Adam Lockhart, Phil Whyte,
Steven Sinnamon. Rodney Blair, Paul McCarroll. Richard Holmes (Captain),
Callum Threlfall, Robin McCleary
Referee: David McAllister
Tries: Darren Simpson & Stuart Lester (2)
Conversions: John McGuckin
Penalties: John McGuckin
