On Saturday, Ballymoney 1st XV played hosts to Queen’s University, Belfast 2nd XV, in a Conference League match - and in wet and windy conditions won comfortably by 28-10, writes Uel McDowell.

The home side welcomed back Aidy Graham to the second row to play alongside Matthew Blair, and John McFetridge made up a fearsome back-row with David Holmes and Callum McDonald. Carson, McAneaney and James Blair completed the pack and they laid down a solid foundation for this victory.

From the kick-off, Ballymoney, despite the wind in their backs, managed to play an extensive running game, and with the forwards winning an ample supply of ball this presented their backline with adequate attacking opportunities. However, stout defence by the visitors somehow managed to prevent Ballymoney from scoring on several occasions.

Ten minutes into the half, Ballymoney went into the lead. Aidy Graham won good line-out ball, creating a maul which allowed the forwards to control and move the ball steadily towards the Queen’s line for their big number eight, John McFetridge, to dive over and score a well-worked try. Jamesy Campbell converted.

From the resumption of play, Queen’s retaliated and moved the ball swiftly across their backline, releasing their right winger to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Ballymoney hit back immediately and were awarded a penalty try, following a scrum infringement by the Queen’s forwards. Jamesy Campbell again converted to put Ballymoney 14-5 ahead.

Play see-sawed between both twenty-twos, with Queen’s continuing to play a running game and Ballymoney hitting back with counter attacks and it was from one of these that Ballymoney went further ahead - pressurising Queen’s in their twenty-two area, the Kilraughts Road men maintained their forward momentum with prop James Blair finishing off some excellent work with another good try which Campbell converted.

Just before half-time Queen’s tried to run the ball wide from within their own twenty-two, resulting in a knock-on by their centre. From the ensuing scrum,the Ballymoney pack controlled the ball and, powering over the line, John McFetridge touched down to score his second try. Again, Campbell converted, leaving the half-time score 28-5 to Ballymoney.

The second half was well controlled by Ballymoney and they absorbed everything which Queen’s threw at them in an attempt to get back into the game. Ballymoney’s scrummaging was too powerful for the students, driving them back on many occasions to win the ball, but the windy conditions did not favour the home side, who battled away looking for another score which unfortunately did not come.

Late in the game Queen’s scored another unconverted try, following a period of sustained pressure on the Ballymoney line, leaving the final score Ballymoney 28- Queen’s 10.

Coach Jimmy Carson commented-“It was a decent game of rugby in horrible conditions and our discipline was excellent throughout the game. We have been working on this aspect of our play during the past couple of weeks and it proved successful today. We have still a bit of work to do but things are looking good. We play Lisburn at home next Saturday and need to remain focused and determined to win.”