Randalstown 2nd XV 21 Ballymena 4th XV 5
Unusually we lead this week with the report from Neillsbrook where the young Randalstown 2nd XV defeated an equally youthful Ballymena 4s to continue unbeaten and claim the Junior 4 title. From mid table in Junior 5 last season to winners of Junior 4 this season is some achievement and to do it unbeaten requires the record books to be dusted down at Randalstown for comparison.
Captain Hyndman was quite rightly delighted to the extent that he couldn’t pick a man of the match, declaring it a huge team effort, but manager Sloane felt that Matty Turner at outhalf was his choice coming back from a couple of lacklustre performances in the previous couple of weeks. Turner undoubtedly ran the game well and was prominent in attack but his defence on the day was immense – hence he got the nod from Sloane.
All this begs the question – what has made the difference? There have been a few changes in personnel this year in the seconds, dropping the average age by several points! An influx from the youth section and Antrim Grammar has seen the pack and back line rejuvenated and the players have reaped the benefit of training regularly together. Saturday afternoon was played out in a deluge of biblical proportions yet some of the handling and off-loading was a joy to behold. Special mention at this stage must go to young fullback Connor Murray who took a high ball in some style midst the mire and who surely will progress in the coming seasons. It would be remiss not to mention the coaching contribution of Gary Longwell which is particularly evident in the manner of the offloads under pressure – hopefully he will feel vindicated by the league championship and potentially a cup final in the offing.
And so to the action. It was a full 15 minutes before there was a scoring opportunity, and in a rerun of the previous week Murray missed a relatively straightforward penalty so the scoreboard remained untroubled. (Cue the quickened heartbeat) From the restart Donnelly streaked up the middle deep into the visitor’s territory but a very slippery ball was dropped at the crucial moment. Ballymena couldn’t clear their lines and great pressure from ‘Town resulted in another very kickable chance which Murray duly converted on the half hour. The scores followed in quick succession after that as another penalty was slotted coolly over and then Donnelly got his second bite and raced in out wide to take the half time score to 11-0.
The rain came down ever heavier and it was twenty minutes into the second half before ‘Town racked up further points this time courtesy of Murray – again out wide – so the try went unconverted.
The weather could so easily have ruined the game but both young sides made every effort to run the ball and keep it entertaining. By this stage however the ball was like a bar of wet soap and some promising moves on both sides broke down as it slipped and slithered out of control.
Ballymena enjoyed somewhat of a purple patch in the midst of the second half until a loose pass found it’s way into the hands of McGarry on his own 22. The flying winger turned up the burners and raced down the pitch to touch down almost unhindered.
The sizeable crowd were now almost assured of a home win but Ballymena plugged away and were rewarded with a try at the death by their number 4.
Manager Sloane gave the nod to Turner for his man of the match but said it was a close call as Hume and Hamilton had also caught his eye with some sterling work. Mark Paine returned from injury this week and put in a solid shift- hopefully the beautifully busted lip he came away with won’t hamper him from being available in the coming weeks.
Captain Hyndman’s focus is already turning to the Forster Cup semi-final in two weeks time and all players are urged to attend training sessions between now and then to fully prepare.
UUC 11 Randalstown 1st XV 34
The first XV remain mid table in Qualifying 2 as they travelled to meet UUC on a day when the weather played a big part in the game.
Weather again was a factor as the warm up and match took place in a torrential downpour and both teams deserve credit for making it entertaining. Randalstown had the better of the early exchanges, however it was the home side who took the early lead through two penalties, giving them a 6-0 start.
This setback seemed to get the Randalstown team motivated and some excellent work in the backline allowed Michael Smith to beat the defence and score the first try of the game. Randalstown began to take control of the first half and some great runs by Dan Wilson and Chrissy Allen almost resulted in scores.
With 20 minutes gone Dan Wilson managed to crash over under the posts following some great work by David Goodrich. Dan McGlade slotted over the conversion to put Randalstown ahead 12-6.
Randalstown continued to assert their supremacy with a third try when the stocky centre Paul Laverty sidestepped his way under the posts to give them a healthy 19-6 half time lead.
An unsavoury incident just before half time resulted in Scott Stevenson being punched by the UUC number 7 in an off the ball incident which the referee missed.
The second half continued in a downpour with Randalstown looking for a bonus point try. After 55 minutes Michael Smyth burst through to score his second and Randalstown’s fourth try which the reliable McGlade converted.
At this point in the game Randalstown eased off the pressure on UUC and allowed the home side to score a well taken try to make the score 26-11.
With 10 minutes left on the clock Paul Laverty rounded off a great afternoons effort when he went over the UUC line for a second try and to make the final score 31-11. Coaches Longwell and Strange were pleased with the overall team performance as well as a number of outstanding efforts from players such as Dan Wilson, Peter Knowles, Chrissy Allen and Tom Kelso in the forwards and backs Paul Laverty David Goodrich and Michael Smith.
Also worthy of note was the performance of half backs John Okane and Dan McGlade who were able to keep the team on the attack on such an awful day for rugby.
Next Saturday the thirds are in action at Neillsbrook against Belfast High School 2nds to finish off their league campaign for 2014/15 and they are on course to finish a creditable 5th in Minor 1. The seconds are on the road to City of Derry and the 1sts travel to Lisburn.
