Randalstown faced an uphill struggle in more ways than one in this league encounter at a sunny Dunmore Park which provided an excellent playing surface.
On paper Ballymena looked formidable opponents, their numbers boosted by a couple of summer signings from the ‘town’ and the Randalstown lads still gaining experience as a unit. Randalstown with a full complement of players and even replacements this augers well for the rest of the season and they started brightly with Daniel Cullen orchestrating things from scrumhalf and Ruari Griffin putting in some great tackles. All was in vain however as Ballymena ran in the tries to practically end the contest by half time. Ryan Hume made a welcome return to the centre putting in thundering tackles with Danny Webb having some great runs. A couple of injuries didn’t help the Randalstown cause either side of the break. In the second half Randalstown after superb play from Curtis Gay found themselves almost scoring before losing concentration at the scrum and gifting Ballymena another score. Peter Longwell was having a good game in his latest role as flanker and Andrew Stewart at prop again having a solid game. With the injury toll mounting the referee brought the game to a close with Ballymena well deserved wide margin victors but again the Randalstown lads played hard to the final whistle and hopefully the learning curve can continue.
Final score 60-0Team-A Stewart L Kirkwood C Gay P Mitchell D Webb C Doran P Longwell S O Rawe D Cullen R Griffin R Magill S Logan J Murphy E Mc Ateer E Letters L Carey R Hume
Randalstown u18 12-0 Ballymena u18
The heavy overnight rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the home team as they kicked off and set up camp deep in the Ballymena half. The home pressure finally told and when Randalstown were awarded a penalty, inside centre Michael O’Connell coolly stepped up and slotted the ball through the uprights for a deserved 3-0 lead. The match itself was a disjointed affair with the referees whistle constantly disrupting the fast tempo game which the home support craved. Space for both backlines was at a premium with the ball rarely reaching the speedy outside backs. O’Connell kicked another penalty to leave the half time score 6-0.The second half started with the Randalstown pack deciding to keep the ball tight, and for the next 20 minutes they completely dominated the opposition. The ball retention and game management was superb and the constant pressure forced Ballymena to infringe illegally as the visitors fell foul of the referee. On two such occasions Michael O’Connell stepped forward to successfully add another six points to his and Randalstown’s tally. As the game entered the last ten minutes Ballymena finally managed to get their hands on the ball and put sustained pressure on the home team. Time and again they sent their big runners towards the try line but on every occasion they were met by the strong aggressive defence which has developed within the squad this season. In fact, this team has not conceded any points in its last three outings, which is as pleasing to the players as the tries they score. The final whistle sounded with the home team running out deserved winners in this hard fought local derby. On a day when the whole squad excelled, several players deserve special praise. Michael O’Connell was again exemplary with the boot having missed only 1 kick at goal all season. Number 8 John O’Donnell was immense in defence, continually throwing his body into tackles to stop the Ballymena charges. This weeks MAN OF THE MATCH goes to BRENDAN CONNOLLY. This was easily his best performance in a Randalstown jersey, and the clever no7 was a constant threat all day. He led the defensive line well and his unselfish work at the breakdown allowed the home team to control possession, win the match and maintain their position at the top of division one. Next Saturday we travel to Carrick in the league. All support welcome.
Randalstown U14 vs Ballymena U14
Randalstown U14, U16 & 18 youth teams hosted local rivals Ballymena Rugby Club at Neilsbrook playing fields for their next premier league on a dry, autumn morning. Conditions were perfect, if a little wet underfoot, for the game of rugby.
UNDER 14 MATCH First Half Randalstown received the kick off and immediately tried to take on the Ballymena forwards by attacking straight up the middle of the pitch. Scrum half Oran Gilbert got caught with the ball and found himself at the bottom of a ruck. Fly half Con McGee tried to dig the ball out but knocked on giving Ballymena the first scrum of the match. The Randalstown pack attacked the scrum and managed to turn the ball over. Scrum half Gilbert box kicked over the Ballymena defence and the Randalstown chasing backs caused the opposing fullback to fumble the ball. Randalstown’s now dominant forwards maintained the pressure pinning Ballymena on their five yard line. After a number of plays and changes of possession Randalstown’s number seven, Dominic O’Connor, powered his way over out wide to score the home sides opening try after fifteen minutes. The difficult wide conversion was missed by Oran Gilbert. Ballymena restarted and Randalstown sustained the pressure. From open play in the middle of the pitch scrum half Oran Gilbert passed the ball out to his back line and to centre Peter Cullen who cut a line down the wing through the Ballymena defence to score the home sides second try after just three more minutes of play. The conversion was missed by Oran Gilbert.
Ballymena restarted again and after a very short exchange of play Randalstown got the ball out to their back line and this time Randalstown’s other centre Stefhan Gabbidon-Lyttle utilised all his speed to make a run from the half way line to score under the posts. The try was converted by Oran Gilbert. After the restart the home side kept up the pressure looking for a final try to end the half. It came from Dominic O’Connor who powered over the line after picking up the ball at the back of a ruck and forcing his way straight through the opposing defence. The difficult wide conversion was missed by Oran Gilbert. First Half ended 22 – 0 to Randalstown. Second Half Randalstown restarted the second half and it soon became obvious Ballymena were intent on making a game of it. After some exchanges of possession in the middle of the pitch Ballymena finally got the ball out to their backs and their outside centre made a superb run through the home team defence to score an outstanding try under the posts. During the first half Randalstown were able to keep the Ballymena back line in check but they had now found a way through and Randalstown were on the back foot. The easy conversion was missed. Play restarted and there followed a near carbon copy of Ballymena first try. Randalstown had taken their eye off the ball for a moment and allowed Ballymena back in to the match. The try was converted. Randalstown were determined not to let their grip on the match slip any further and took the match to Ballymena. After sustained forward play the ball went to the backs and to centre Peter Cullen who made a superb powerful run from outside the twenty two to score twenty yards in from the touch line. The try was converted by Stefhan Gabbidon-Lyttle. Play restarted and the home side forwards pushed the visitors back to their five yard line under the posts where the referee gave Randalstown a penalty. Quick thinking by scrum half Oran Gilbert who took a quick tap and passed the ball out to the back line and Peter Cullen forced his way over the line to score the home sides last penalty. The match finished 34 – 12 to Randalstown. A great improvement by ALL players, a real team effort. Randalstown MAN OF THE MATCH goes to Dominic O’Connor for his efforts in the pack, tackling, breaking the gain line and contribution to Randalstown’s win with two tries. Randalstown Under 14 Team – Peter Cullen, Brandon McAllister, Oran Gilbert, Eoin McDonald, Cormac Devlin, Con McGee, Dominic O’Connor, Stefhan Gabbidon-Lyttle, Joel McCavana, Jack Johnson, Ross Swan, Ciaran O’Neill, Miguel Correia, Marco de Silva, Fionn Johnston and Matthew Luke. Coaches – John Kennedy, Sean O’Connor and Ivan Millar
