Toon book semi final spot with victory over Banbridge

The JKC Sponsored Ballymoney 1st XV entertained Banbridge 2nd XV in the quarter final of the Junior Cup at Kilraughts Road last Saturday. In a tense affair Ballymoney RFC booked their place in the semi-finals with a 22-6 win.
The Ballymoney team was mainly unchanged from the side that beat Ards the previous week, with the exception of Andy Brown who was injured and Michael Allan who was unavailable. Ballymoney were able to welcome back Daniel Ramage and Kenny McAneaney into the squad.
The game started off at a fast pace with Banbridge keeping the ball and playing to their game plan well with some strong runs from their back row and centres. They made some good yards into the Ballymoney 22 and were awarded an early penalty. The Banbridge outhalf struck the ball off the post and the rebound fell into the arms of the visitors which lead to another attack. The Ballymoney defence continued on with the intensity that it had in the Ards game last week and Banbridge were finding it difficult to break down the home defence. A knock on allowed Ballymoney to clear their lines. It wasn’t long until Banbridge were back in the Ballymoney 22 this time from an overthrow at the lineout allowing their prop to drive for the line. After some more good defensive work a tackle by Daniel Ramage allowed James Bleakly to turn over the ball and let Rory Strang clear the ball from danger.
After 25minutes Banbridge did get a reward for their procession and kicked a penalty to get a lead 3-0. Banbridge were still finding it hard to get any yards against the stern Ballymoney defence and Ballymoney were able to turn this pressure into attack, when they pressed a Banbridge clearance, which resulted in David McKeeman getting a charge down and then as Banbridge tried to clear for a second time, centre Martin Irwin was up quick and charged the kick down and won the foot race to touch the ball down. James Cleland added the extra points to give Ballymoney the lead at 7-3.
Ballymoney pressed hard from the kick off and a break up the blind side by Chris Watson seen the winger beat several defenders only for the final try scoring pass to be intercepted by the Banbridge cover defence. Banbridge did finish the half strong and took play again into the Ballymoney half and were awarded a penalty for a Ballymoney player not rolling away in the tackle. The penalty was converted to end the half with the score at 7-6
Playing towards the club house Ballymoney started strongly and were awarded a penalty on 45 minutes. James Cleland made sure of the kick and Ballymoney stretched the lead 10-6. Ballymoney started to control the game and build some good phases to attack and took play to the Banbridge try line. Some strong running from the forwards opened a gap for scrumhalf Matthew Steele to force his way over the line to extend the lead to 15-6. The conversion went wide.
It was then Banbridge’s turn to put pressure on the Ballymoney line but again the home team’s defence held firm and were awarded a penalty to clear their lines. With the game approaching the last 10mintues the next try would be the game winner and fortunately it was Ballymoney to get on the score sheet.
Ballymoney started to control the procession with again some good kicking and strong running. The forwards made inroads through the visitors defence and the ball was moved along the back line where Thomas Hunter showed good strength to beat his opposite man and run in for the winning try. James Cleland added the conversion to extend the lead to 22-6.
Ballymoney closed out the remainder of the game as it finished with a spat of handbags from both sides which followed a tackle on Matthew Steele which was more deserving of the wrestling ring. The penalty was awarded to Ballymoney and ball kicked to touch for the end of the game and Ballymoney’s name to be added to the draw for the semi-finals.
Maine Gym Man of the Match: John McFetridge
1st XV Squad: P. Irvine, A. Pollock, M. Blair, J. Bleakly, A. Stevenson, J. McFetridge (c), D. McKeeman, D. Ramage, M. Steele, R. Strang, A. Young, M. Irwin, T. Hunter, C. Watson, J. Cleland, K. McAneaney, N. Mulholland.
Coaches’ comments; after the game Cleland, Irwin and Hanna stated “Banbridge were a very good and organised team who were not scared to move the ball. Our defence today won the game for us. We had great intensity and physicality. Banbridge did have the majority of the ball but could not break us down and to keep them from scoring took huge work from number 1 to 17 and the guys should be pleased with their efforts today. We will go into the semi-final draw as the underdogs and we will look forward to seeing who we will be up against with now only one win away from a final at the Kingspan.