1sts remain undefeated at PSNI

On Saturday Ballymoney travelled to Belfast to take on PSNI and in poor weather conditions returned to Ballymoney with a 7-27 bonus point win to remain unbeaten in the league.
Even though the league was only in week 3 this fixture looked to have a large bearing on who would challenge for the league with both Ballymoney and PSNI starting with maximum points and PSNI recording two very impressive victories. Ballymoney had a number of changes from last week’s win with Watson and Brown missing out of the back line and McFetridge not recovering from his knock 2 weeks ago was only able to take a place on the bench. This gave a chance for Gary Pattison to come in and Linton shock off his knock to take up a place in the starting 15.
The form guide looked to be correct as although Ballymoney started the brightest PSNI used their larger forwards to carry the ball hard. A Scrum 8 metres out from PSNI resulted in a clever off load from their number 8 allowing their equally impressive scrum half to run a great line and beat the cover defence to score under the posts. The scrum half converted his own try to make the score 7-0.
Last season Ballymoney would have showed concern after conceding such an early score but instead they competed well at the restart and got their own runners into the game. Surging runs from Moxen, Irvine, Allen and McKeaman put PSNI on the back foot. Quick ball at the base of the rucks meant the larger PSNI team where finding it hard to cover the space across the pitch. Outhalf Young and centre Steele exploited this as Steele continued his excellent early season try scoring form by cutting a cleaver line on the 22 and breaking the first tackle before stepping the fullback to score below the posts. Young converted to level the score at 07-07 with 15 minutes played.
The game moved from 22 to 22 with PSNI having the wind in their backs. However Ballymoney now had their defensive line in order and limited the PSNI forwards making any ground. The backrow of McCollum, McKeaman and Allen were starting to dominate the game and cutting down the time PSNI had on the ball with some great tackles and work at the ruck. A tackle on PSNI outhalf and ex-Ballymoney player Andy McConville resulted in a scrum. With the PSNI team now feeling the pace of the game, Ballymoney dominated the scrum and great work at the base from McCollum as he kept the ball in and pulled the penalty. Young again stepped up and put over the kick to now push the lead to 7-10 in the Toon’s favour.
A penalty took Ballymoney into the PSNI 22. The lineout was pulled down and Ballymoney picked and drove for the line. The PSNI seemed to increase their intensity at the breakdown and fired numbers into defence which resulted in a turnover allowing them to clear their lines to bring the half to a close.
Ballymoney knew the next score would be important and so did PSNI and the first 5 minutes of the second half resulted in a duel in the middle of the pitch. Ballymoney settled in and took control of the play and a penalty allowed Young to set up a line out 10 metres out. PSNI did very well to stop the maul but the forwards assaulted the home teams line. Scrum half Steele moved the ball between forwards until prop Moxen got an inch of space on the blind side and the dynamic front row beat 3 would be defenders to score a well deserved try. Young pushed the conversion wide but Ballymoney now lead 7-15.
The game was put to bed with 20 minutes to go when again good play brought play close to the PSNI line. Composure from the visitors ensured they retained possession. At the base of a ruck scrum half Steele darted over to get the 3rd try near the posts. Young pushed the conversion just wide in the wind to make the score 7-20.
Some ill discipline started to creep in as PSNI threw everything at a come back. With both teams committing offecnes the Referee showed Ballymoney hooker McAneaney a yellow card for a technical infringement. Even though the visitors were now down to 14men the defence held strong with again Allen and McKeaman leading the way, but the forwards were matched hit for hit with the inside backs as Young and centre Steele were letting nothing through.
Ballymoney secured the bonus point try with just over 10 minutes remaining. This time it came from a strong scrum. The Scrum wheeled up on the loose head side and scrum half Steele used his quick thinking to pick at the base and score below the posts. The conversion was added by Young to make the score 7-27.
Ballymoney returned to full strength of 15 players although Peter Irvine had to leave the field of play with a rib injury. The defence again held firm as PSNI tried to get something out of the game but Ballymoney shut up shop to see the game out and go top of the league with maximum points after 3 games.
TEAM: P. Irvine, K McAneaney, I Moxen, J Bleakly, N Mullholland, M Allen, D McKeaman, N McCollum, M Steele, A Young, G Pattison, N Steele, T Knight, J Linton, S McCrea, M Blair, J McFetridge
Man of the Match David McKeaman.
Coaches Comments: After the game coaches James Cleland and Jonny Hanna commented “PSNI had shown in their first two games that they had a very good attack and stern defence so going to their ground and in the poor weather we know this was always going to be a big challenge. However Saturday showed just how much this squad has come on since last year and how their togetherness and team spirit has grown. With the wind and rain it was always going to be a day for the forwards and our forwards out played our more experienced and more physical opponents. The backrow were exceptional and the powerful running from the front five was causing the PSNI team big problems. What were very pleasing were the team work and the work our back line put in. Although they didn’t have much ball they tackled everything and that was the difference. Young at 10 had another excellent solid game. Nothing was coming through that channel and he is really settling in to running our game plan”
Ballymoney are home to Letterkenny next week, with Kick off 2.30pm at Kilraughts Road. “David McKeaman was man of the match today but really the last few weeks have been a real team effort and a number of guys put themselves forward with great performances. Although captain John McFetridge took a place on the bench he has not shaken off the knock he got in our first game so we will have to see how he reacts to treatment this week. The seconds had a good win against Omagh 3 and starting and the fact we still have Callum McDonald and Dave Campbell out in forwards and a few others are unavailable for the Letterkenny game it will give a chance for some new players to stake their claim for a place.
All support is welcome for the game this Saturday 1st October so please come out and cheer on your team. If you wish to attend the prematch lunch please contact the club house.