On Saturday the Town 1st XV played host to Kukri One team Portadown in a friendly match at the Kilraughts Road and won by 16-15 in a very keenly contested match.

In fine conditions the Ballymoney men received the kickoff promptly going on the offensive with some fine running, ably supported by the forwards who were providing excellent ball for the backline.

Keeping pressure on the Portadown backline they gained ground into their opponents twenty-two through strong running from centre McAuley. Fifteen minutes into the match the Town took the lead following an infringement at a ruck by Portadown, winger Gary Pattison converting the penalty to give the team a three point lead. Ten minutes later Pattison converted another penalty to extend their lead to 6 points.

When Ballymoney eased off the pedal, Portadown began to find their rhythm and hit back with a penalty and two tries in quick succession, one of which was converted to give them a 15-6 lead at halftime.

From the restart the Town began to play a more astute game with the forwards controlling the ball at loose play and in set pieces, rewarding the home team with a series of penalties, from one of which the Town scored an excellent forwards try beside the posts, converted by Rory Strang.

With some excellent defensive work in their twenty-two and with Carson and Hanna fighting for every ball, the Town men began to move upfield and were rewarded for their hard work when Strang converted a penalty giving them a 16-15 lead, allowing the Town to finish their tightly fought game as winners and maintain their unbeaten record to date.

This was an excellent result for the Town 1sts who play Omagh at home next Saturday.