On a balmy April afternoon totally unsuited for the Jack Kyle Cup two young and to an extent untested teams contester this old competition as well as the Ulster Legume game, both postponed from the original frozen December dates. The crowd were treated to a very committed display from both squads with the experience in Dungannon’s backline taking the day.
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Unusually Dungannon started well and were first to score. Following a forward drive Adam Duhig touched down after six minutes. The try was converted by Michael Lawton
7 – 0
Ballymena looked as though they were going to square matters when a break from Morrison and McBurney stretched the Dungannon defence. Although the initial break was covered when the ball was recycled Glen Sinnamon was faced with three Braidmen. As Sinnie said afterwards, “I am better at close combat in confined areas but isolated on the wing is not the place for me.” Ballymena made the visit count as John Burns raced in for the try after eleven minutes.
7 – 5
On twenty-two minutes Dungannon won a ruck in the Ballymena twenty-two, when the ball was recycled Kieran Campbell slipped it to Rowan Halsall in his buttermilk and pink Pumas, Rowan broke the initial tackle, shrugged off another before racing over beside the posts. Michael Lawton added the extras.
14 – 5
A Dungannon kick was gathered by Stuart McCloskey who fed Paul Magee in traffic. From outside the twenty-two Paul showed his experience and strength when despite the attentions of three Ballymena defenders he fought his way over for a great try. Michael Lawton converted with a great kick from the touchline.
21 – 5
Now it was Ballymena’s turn to go on the offensive. When their break was stopped by Conor Gaston the point of attack was changed and their debutant winger Caleb Morrison outpaced the defence to score a good try on the left after thirty-eight minutes.
21 – 10
Although Gannon had another promising attack prior to halftime involving Conor Gaston, Adam Duhig and Charlie Sargaison the moved ended with a knock on.
Dungannon started the second half brightly and pressurised Ballymena. Following a lineout on their five metre line Ballymena tried to clear but the kick was charged down and the alert Timmy Smith was first to react as he dived on the ball to secure the try after forty-three minutes.
26 – 10
Back came Ballymena, a breakaway out of defence saw flanker Paul Pritchard show his pace to touch down for a try converted by the versatile Caleb Morrison on forty-eight minutes.
26 – 17
The final try of the game followed another series of attacks and counterattacks, Dungannon had the momentum and eventually Timmy Smith drove over for the try after sixty-five minutes.
31 – 17
Apart from a chip ahead from Rowan Halsall that he gathered and had the support been with him might well have resulted in a try there were no further scores despite the efforts of both teams and the game ended with Dungannon in the points and retaining the Jack Kyle Cup.
Before presenting the Cup to Dungannon skipper Paul Magee, Ballymena President Dr Syd Millar who played in the first Jack Kyle Cup game in 1956 reminded everyone of the importance of the Club game as a development platform for the game of rugby in Ulster and Ireland.
Everything is now set up perfectly for the deciding League game with Ballynahinch next Saturday.
Team: Michael Lawton. Darren Simpson, Paul Magee (Capt), Conor Gaston, Stuart McCloskey. Kieran Campbell, Michael Kirkwood. Glen Sinnamon, Adam Duhig, Mark Farquhar. Paul McCarroll, Josh Christie. James McMahon, Rowan Halsall, Timothy Smith. Charlie Sargaison, Hugh Flannigan, Stephen Todd, Stuart Lester, David Spence.
Referee: Jonathan Peak (Instonians)
Scorers:-
Tries: Adam Duhig, Paul Magee, Rowan Halsall & Timothy Smith (2)
Cons: Michael Lawton (3)
Pen:
Drop Goal:
