Back
Sat 04 Nov 2017
UUC
1st XV
Tries: Penalties: (2)
11
27
Tries: M Armstrong, M Blair, D Ramage, K McAneaneyConversions: J Cleland (2)Penalties: J Cleland
Toon outclass Students in bonus point win
Chris McIlmoyle5 Nov 2017 - 23:21
Share via
Report by J Hanna
JKC BMW sponsored Ballymoney 1st XV made the short journey to Coleraine University in the league and came away with a bonus point win 11-27.
There was a number of changes to the Ballymoney team which overcame Banbridge in the cup a few weeks ago. The backline seen coaches Martin Irwin and James Cleland move from centre and fullback to play outhalf and centre respectively. With Chris Watson out with a broken hand and Nathanial Steele and Thomas Hunter unavailable it saw Aaron Brown come in at outside centre and Michael Armstrong and Matthew Bell occupy the back 3 positions where they performed well against Ballymena 2s the previous week. The forwards were more familiar formation. Peter Irvine was unavailable but they welcomed back Andrew Brown to the front row and Michael Allan to the second row with 2s Captain Dan McCord occupying the bench.
The changes maybe unsettled the Toon men as UUC impressive back line carried hard and made way into the Ballymoney half. The first 15 minutes was a see-saw affair with both sides making errors. UUC came out of the early exchanges on top with a 6-0 lead. It was Ballymoney who were to score the first try as the team started to gel. Strong carrying from captain John McFetridge saw Martin Irwin and James Cleland link well to put winger Matthew Bell into space. The young winger showed his pace to dive over the try line, however the UUC scramble defence pushed him back into play before the refereed could award the try. Ballymoney didn’t panic and set up some good phases with the forwards to tie in the UUC defence which allowed outhalf Martin Irwin to kick cross field into the arms of fullback Michael Armstrong who dived over in the corner. The conversation went wide but Ballymoney closed the gap to 6-5 with 15mintues played.
Ballymoney were now keeping the ball well and linking well between forwards and back with Aaron Brown making some good yards at 13. From a lineout 10 meters out Ballymoney drove for a try but good defence from UUC stopped the maul, however a series of pick and goes lead by McFetridge saw prop Matthew Blair crash over for the try. The conversation was successful from James Cleland and Ballymoney now took the lead 6-12.
The second half started with a trade mark Daniel Ramage break as he gathered the kick off and set off on a 40 metre run. The ball was spun out wide and Cleland kicked into the corner. Winger Andy Young pulled up in the chase with a hamstring injury. He was replaced with back rower Neal Mulholland who took up a position of the wing.
Ballymoney pinned UUC into their half looking for the decisive score. First John McFetridge and then Andy Brown went over the try line but great defence from UUC saw them both held up. UUC were starting to tire in the scrum and Ballymoney took advantage with a strong drive from a 5m scrum which resulted in Danial Ramage crashing over below the posts. Cleland again added the extras to give Ballymoney a 6-19 lead.
James Cleland added another penalty to extend the lead to 6-22. Another storming run at the base of the scrum from Ramage took play back into the UUC try line. After a series of mauls from the lineout the UUC pack drove over for hooker Kenny McAneaney to touch down. The conversion went wide but Ballymoney had secured the bonus point and led 6-27 going into the final 10 minutes.
UUC started to move the ball about quickly and got rewards for their efforts. After a number of phases they caught Ballymoney short on wing and saw them slide in at the death for a deserved unconverted score to leave the final score at 11-27.
Man of the Match:Daniel Ramage
1st XV Squad: M. Blair, K. McAneaney, A. Brown, M. Allan, J. Bleakly, J. McFetridge (C), D. McKeeman, D. Ramage, M. Steele, M. Irwin, A. Young, J. Cleland, A. Brown, M. Bell, M. Armstrong, D. McCord, N. Mulholland
Ballymoney 1st XV Manager Chris McIlmoyle commented after the game: We had a number of changes today in the backs and after maybe a nervous start the guys all did well against what was very strong UUC midfield. Michael Armstrong was very secure at fullback in difficult weather conditions, Aaron Brown continued his strong performances this season with some very strong carries at centre and Matthew Bell showed his pace again on the wing. Even though we proved the depth of our squad today it was unlucky again to pick up another injury, this time to Andy Young who had to retire with a hamstring tear. The aim of the game was to get a win so to come away with the bonus point was a perfect result. With having the conference league match last week we did luck a little rusty today and with no game this week we will have to put in 2 weeks of hard work at training to prepare for Grosvenor at home which will undoubtedly be our toughest challenge of the season so far.
There was a number of changes to the Ballymoney team which overcame Banbridge in the cup a few weeks ago. The backline seen coaches Martin Irwin and James Cleland move from centre and fullback to play outhalf and centre respectively. With Chris Watson out with a broken hand and Nathanial Steele and Thomas Hunter unavailable it saw Aaron Brown come in at outside centre and Michael Armstrong and Matthew Bell occupy the back 3 positions where they performed well against Ballymena 2s the previous week. The forwards were more familiar formation. Peter Irvine was unavailable but they welcomed back Andrew Brown to the front row and Michael Allan to the second row with 2s Captain Dan McCord occupying the bench.
The changes maybe unsettled the Toon men as UUC impressive back line carried hard and made way into the Ballymoney half. The first 15 minutes was a see-saw affair with both sides making errors. UUC came out of the early exchanges on top with a 6-0 lead. It was Ballymoney who were to score the first try as the team started to gel. Strong carrying from captain John McFetridge saw Martin Irwin and James Cleland link well to put winger Matthew Bell into space. The young winger showed his pace to dive over the try line, however the UUC scramble defence pushed him back into play before the refereed could award the try. Ballymoney didn’t panic and set up some good phases with the forwards to tie in the UUC defence which allowed outhalf Martin Irwin to kick cross field into the arms of fullback Michael Armstrong who dived over in the corner. The conversation went wide but Ballymoney closed the gap to 6-5 with 15mintues played.
Ballymoney were now keeping the ball well and linking well between forwards and back with Aaron Brown making some good yards at 13. From a lineout 10 meters out Ballymoney drove for a try but good defence from UUC stopped the maul, however a series of pick and goes lead by McFetridge saw prop Matthew Blair crash over for the try. The conversation was successful from James Cleland and Ballymoney now took the lead 6-12.
The second half started with a trade mark Daniel Ramage break as he gathered the kick off and set off on a 40 metre run. The ball was spun out wide and Cleland kicked into the corner. Winger Andy Young pulled up in the chase with a hamstring injury. He was replaced with back rower Neal Mulholland who took up a position of the wing.
Ballymoney pinned UUC into their half looking for the decisive score. First John McFetridge and then Andy Brown went over the try line but great defence from UUC saw them both held up. UUC were starting to tire in the scrum and Ballymoney took advantage with a strong drive from a 5m scrum which resulted in Danial Ramage crashing over below the posts. Cleland again added the extras to give Ballymoney a 6-19 lead.
James Cleland added another penalty to extend the lead to 6-22. Another storming run at the base of the scrum from Ramage took play back into the UUC try line. After a series of mauls from the lineout the UUC pack drove over for hooker Kenny McAneaney to touch down. The conversion went wide but Ballymoney had secured the bonus point and led 6-27 going into the final 10 minutes.
UUC started to move the ball about quickly and got rewards for their efforts. After a number of phases they caught Ballymoney short on wing and saw them slide in at the death for a deserved unconverted score to leave the final score at 11-27.
Man of the Match:Daniel Ramage
1st XV Squad: M. Blair, K. McAneaney, A. Brown, M. Allan, J. Bleakly, J. McFetridge (C), D. McKeeman, D. Ramage, M. Steele, M. Irwin, A. Young, J. Cleland, A. Brown, M. Bell, M. Armstrong, D. McCord, N. Mulholland
Ballymoney 1st XV Manager Chris McIlmoyle commented after the game: We had a number of changes today in the backs and after maybe a nervous start the guys all did well against what was very strong UUC midfield. Michael Armstrong was very secure at fullback in difficult weather conditions, Aaron Brown continued his strong performances this season with some very strong carries at centre and Matthew Bell showed his pace again on the wing. Even though we proved the depth of our squad today it was unlucky again to pick up another injury, this time to Andy Young who had to retire with a hamstring tear. The aim of the game was to get a win so to come away with the bonus point was a perfect result. With having the conference league match last week we did luck a little rusty today and with no game this week we will have to put in 2 weeks of hard work at training to prepare for Grosvenor at home which will undoubtedly be our toughest challenge of the season so far.
Further reading
Team Sponsors