TEN TRY TOON TROUNCE NEWRY IN THE RAIN

At a rain soaked Kilraughts Road, JKC sponsored Ballymoney 1ST XV welcomed Co. Down visitors Newry RFC, the home team looking to build on their 100% start the season. The coaching team made a few changes with Calum McDonald and Matty Blair starting in the pack, Matthew Steele returning at 9 and Nigel Nevin making his first appearance of the season at full back.
Looking resplendent in their new kit, Ballymoney kicked off but within minutes were 3-0 down after conceding a penalty which the Newry out half duly converted. Following this a loose pass in midfield was intercepted by the Newry full back and it was only a fantastic cover tackle by second row James Bleakley yards from the line saved the home team from going further behind .
This seemed to kick-start the home team and after some fine forward play, scrum half darted through the Newry defence to score the opening try of the game.
Gary Pattison was soon the double the lead when after constant forward pressure, the ball was moved wide and the winger ghosted into the corner and Young added the extras with a fine conversion from the touchline.
Ballymoney kept pressing deep into the opponents half but their over enthusiasm led to too many needless penalties conceded which let their counterparts off the hook,however the strain on the away defence finally broke when centre Chris Watson powered over between the posts ,quickly followed by the bonus point try as powerhouse Ian Moxen blasted his way over the line.
Further tries by Watson and Pete Irvine left the score 38-3 at half time.
The second half started as the first ended with the Toon continuing to tighten the screw on the beleaguered visitors and although they battled hard until the end ,two tries by Andy Young on his final day as a teenager , Simon McCrea and Neal Mulholland left the final score 64-3.
After another convincing win, coaches Hanna and Cleland were delighted with the result although they felt there is room for improvement.”Today was a good win against a stubborn Newry team and we were thankful for some strong defence early on .Once we settled we played a lot of good rugby and our superior fitness paid off again and we ran out comfortable winners. We will continue to work hard on the training ground as we have a difficult away trip to Cavan to look forward to this Saturday. A lot of thanks must go to the support today who braved the miserable weather .So far we have achieved what we set out but the hard work will continue.”