Last minute loss to Lurgan

Ballymoney travelled to league rivals Lurgan in the first round of the Gordon West Cup and after conceding an injury time try lost 26-24 to current cup holders Lurgan.
In good conditions the game kicked off and the large passionate home support spurred on the Lurgan side who were fired up for the game. With both sides recording some large scores in recent weeks the game had the feel of a cup final with the winner going into the next round as favourites for the cup.
From the kick off you could tell straight away Lurgan where not going to give up their cup rein easily as there were some large collisions early on. Ballymoney had the early play and were awarded two penalties 10 metres out from the Lurgan line. With both kicks at difficult angles Ballymoney ran the penalties but a mixture of nerves and stern home defence caused turnovers and allowed Lurgan to get out easy.
The match remained scoreless until 20 minutes when Lurgan sent a clever kick deep into the Ballymoney 22 where the case meant fullback Nevin was forced into touch. From the lineout the Toon forwards halted the Lurgan assault but the referee award a penalty 5 meters out. The Lurgan winger was quick to respond as he took a quick tap and darted over. The kick was missed but Lurgan lead 5-0.
Just as Ballymoney tried to hit back Lurgan scored again. This time there impressive back line were gaining confidence and they were moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other. Their centre off loaded out of the tackle to the winger who beat the cover tackle on the touch line to score in the corner. However again the conversation was missed to make the score 10-0 after 30 minutes.
Ballymoney however again took the ball back to Lurgan and the pressure finally paid off on the stroke of half time when second row Neil Mullholland scored a superb individual try. Good link play from forwards and backs created space which Neil exploited the defence with a dummy to break the line and then stepped the full back to score bellow the posts. Young added the conversion to take the score to 10-7 at half time.
The words from the coaches at half time was that Ballymoney needed to be more clinical and take their chances and shortly into the second half the words rung true. Ballymoney heaped pressure on the Lurgan line and from a lineout the maul was crossed the line but was held up over the try line. Great work from the front row of Moxen, Irvin and Blair created not one but 4 scrum penalties in a row, however the referee was reluctant to give the penalty try. Instead however Ballymoney moved the ball wide after a series of forwards barges and winger Linton crossed for a good team try. The conversion hit the post but Ballymoney now lead 10-12.
Number 8 McCollum along with captain McFetridge where now carrying the ball hard to the tiring Lurgan forwards. Another good move from a lineout seen the ball moved across the back line and a great break from centre Watson seen him off load to centre partner Nathanial Steele who used his strength to beat a defender and score in the corner. Young added the conversion to now give Ballymoney a 10-19 lead with 30minutes remaining. Kenny McAneaney replaced hard working Matthew Blair in the front row.
From the kick off however Ballymoney let Lurgan back into the game as winger Pattison was adjudged offside from the clearing box kick of Matthew Steele. Lurgan fullback Nolan slotted over the kick to give the home side some hope of a comeback at 13-19. From the resulting kick great work again from the forwards turned over the Lurgan catch. The ball was kicked to the corner and from the maul off the lineout Ballymoney second row Mullholland scored his second and his teams forth try of the match. The conversion dropped short but the score was now 13-24. With 20 minutes left Ballymoney replaced openside McDonald with David McKeaman.
Again from the Lurgan kick off a mistake allowed Lurgan a chance for posts. McCollum gathered the kick and made good ground. Ballymoney went to move the ball in field to make better room for a clearing kick but were penalised for crossing as the forwards ran onto the ball off Young at outhalf. Nolan again added the points for Lurgan to keep them in the game at 16-24.
With time running our Lurgan where throwing everything at Ballymoney in raised their tempo and although their forwards were out on their feet their back line were throwing the ball from side to side. From a scrum in the middle of the pitch after Ballymoney dominance they were penalised for boring in. With time running out and Lurgan needing 8 points they bravely elected to kick for posts and Nolan converted again to make the score 19-24.
The referee signalled 4 minutes remaining as Ballymoney kicked off. Good work from the forwards resulted in pushing Lurgan into touch deep in their half. What seemed an excellent take at the lineout was penalised for not going 5 metres. Lurgan tapped quickly and moved the ball wide but again were halted. The referee now seemed to turn on the visitor’s with a series of penalties which allowed Lurgan to kick deep into the corner. From a lineout 10 metres out and last play they sent up a cross field kick which Ballymoney failed to field and the Lurgan winger collected and dived over for the try that tied the game. With the kick in front of the posts Nolan added the points to take the game 26-24.
Coaches Comments: After the game coaches Hanna and Cleland stated “It was a great game for the neutral as it had plenty of drama. Lurgan hung in there and fully deserve the win. They played right to the end and got the reward for brave play at the end. We wish them best of luck in the rest of the cup and I am sure they we will push each other the rest of the season in the league”
Although both teams were evenly matched we felt at 13-24 and 15 minutes left we should have closed the game out. However the last few seasons we haven’t been in games like this and we have a young new team so we need to take the experience from this game and add this game management to our skill base. It is a learning curve for us and the positive fact is we are unbeaten in the league, however this defeat shows we are not invincible and we will have to raise our game in weeks to come to maintain our league position. With the positive character in the squad I am sure the guys will pull together and this defeat will only make us stronger in the future. We will look to put in a good hard week at training as we travel to fellow league contenders Hollywood this Saturday in the league.