Back
Sat 02 Dec 2017
PSNI 
1st XV
3
29
Tries: R Strang, D McKeeman, P Irvine, D Ramage (2)Conversions: J Cleland, R Strang
Bonus win gained at PSNI
Chris McIlmoyle4 Dec 2017 - 14:47
Share via
Report by J Hanna
The JKC sponsored Ballymoney RFC 1st XV returned to league action as they travelled to PSNI and in an entertaining game it was Ballymoney who earned a 29-3 bonus point win.
The starting line up was similar to that which were narrowly defeated by Armagh 2s in the Junior Cup a week ago. On the bench Ballymoney welcomed back Andy Young who had recovered from a hamstring injury.
Ballymoney started off the brighter team and attacked the PSNI line. Some resolute defence forced either a turnover or an error which seen the PSNI half backs put in some long clearance kicks. Ballymoney had the advantage at the set piece which mean they were able to work play back into the PSNI 22.
A clever dink from scrum half Matthew Steele over the top of the PSNI defence was rushed on by Outhalf Rory Strang who leapt like a salmon to tower over the opposition and gather the ball and race clear from the 22 to score a well worked try which was practiced between the students in their back garden during the week. James Cleland added the extra points to give Ballymoney a 0-7 lead with 15 minutes played.
PSNI used their large pack and back line to good effect with the forwards keeping the ball tight and then hard running lines from the powerful centres took them over the gain line. Ballymoney defence however were able to scramble to enforce a number of errors and repeal any danger. The half in greasy conditions was a bit error strung with either sides attacks breaking down before a chance of points could be taken.
On the stoke of half time PSNI were awarded a penalty on the edge of the 22 which they converted to leave the score at half time 3-7 to Ballymoney. The words from coaches was to turn the defence into attack and to keep raising the intensity against the larger PSNI team.
These words seemed to pay off as Ballymoney went on the attack straight away. Another clear break by centre Thomas Hunter took play to the PSNI 5 metre line. The forwards hit up close and then the ball was moved out wide and with good hands created an overlap for flanker David McKeeman to go in at the corner. The conversation went wide but now Ballymoney lead 3-12.
The 3rd try came shortly after this when this time a break from the forwards resulted in a penalty and fullback James Cleland kicked to 10metres from the try line. A catch and drive was set up and once momentum was gathered there was no stopping it as hooker Peter Irvine crashed over for the try. Again the extra points went begging but Ballymoney now lead 3-17.
Ballymoney now sniffed the chance of a bonus point away from home and started to apply more pressure with some storming runs from captain John McFetridge and some stern tackling from centre Martin Irwin. With 20minutes to go a planned move from the scrum seen a strong run from Andy Young take play into the 22. Again the forwards hit up and then the ball was moved through hands from Strang to Cleland who found winger Matthew Bell in space. With the try line in sight he unselfishly drew the last man and passed the Number 8 Ramage who had somehow found himself on the wing to slide in the corner to score an unconverted try. The bonus point was now achieved and the game was getting beyond the PSNI.
The game was put out of reach with 10 minutes to go when great work from front row Moxen, Irvine and Brown won a scrum against a head. Without any hesitation Number 8 Daniel Ramage picked the ball and broke from the scrum. With a handoff seen more frequently at WWE Summer Slam he beat his opposite man and skipped through the cover tackle to sprint in below the posts from 50 metres out. James Cleland slotted over the easy conversion to bring the Ballymoney scoring to an end at 3-29.
The last 10mintues Ballymoney tried to move the ball wide but PSNI showed great determination in defence and wanted to finish the game with a score. They ran the ball strong in the last 5 minutes to get a final score but again resolute defence from all the team highlighted by some bit hits by Andrew Stevenson, Matthew Steele and Peter Irvine, meant the game ended 3-29.
Thomas Hunter made some great line breaks and Daniel Ramage showed some great skill and pace to score both trys. Martin Irwin led the defence followed closely by Captain John McFetridge. However today the Main Gym Man of the Match went to Peter Irvine who worked hard in both attack and defence and was instrumental for the team have an excellent day at the set piece.
1st XV Squad: M. Blair, P. Irvine, A. Brown, A. Stevenson, M. Allan, J. McFetridge (c), D. McKeeman, D. Ramage, M. Steele, R. Strang, A. Young, M. Irwin, T. Hunter, M. Bell, J. Cleland, I. Moxen, J. Linton.
Next week Ballymoney are back at the Kilraughts road with a home game against neighbours Limavady in the league. Kick off is 2.30pm and all support will be more than welcome.
The starting line up was similar to that which were narrowly defeated by Armagh 2s in the Junior Cup a week ago. On the bench Ballymoney welcomed back Andy Young who had recovered from a hamstring injury.
Ballymoney started off the brighter team and attacked the PSNI line. Some resolute defence forced either a turnover or an error which seen the PSNI half backs put in some long clearance kicks. Ballymoney had the advantage at the set piece which mean they were able to work play back into the PSNI 22.
A clever dink from scrum half Matthew Steele over the top of the PSNI defence was rushed on by Outhalf Rory Strang who leapt like a salmon to tower over the opposition and gather the ball and race clear from the 22 to score a well worked try which was practiced between the students in their back garden during the week. James Cleland added the extra points to give Ballymoney a 0-7 lead with 15 minutes played.
PSNI used their large pack and back line to good effect with the forwards keeping the ball tight and then hard running lines from the powerful centres took them over the gain line. Ballymoney defence however were able to scramble to enforce a number of errors and repeal any danger. The half in greasy conditions was a bit error strung with either sides attacks breaking down before a chance of points could be taken.
On the stoke of half time PSNI were awarded a penalty on the edge of the 22 which they converted to leave the score at half time 3-7 to Ballymoney. The words from coaches was to turn the defence into attack and to keep raising the intensity against the larger PSNI team.
These words seemed to pay off as Ballymoney went on the attack straight away. Another clear break by centre Thomas Hunter took play to the PSNI 5 metre line. The forwards hit up close and then the ball was moved out wide and with good hands created an overlap for flanker David McKeeman to go in at the corner. The conversation went wide but now Ballymoney lead 3-12.
The 3rd try came shortly after this when this time a break from the forwards resulted in a penalty and fullback James Cleland kicked to 10metres from the try line. A catch and drive was set up and once momentum was gathered there was no stopping it as hooker Peter Irvine crashed over for the try. Again the extra points went begging but Ballymoney now lead 3-17.
Ballymoney now sniffed the chance of a bonus point away from home and started to apply more pressure with some storming runs from captain John McFetridge and some stern tackling from centre Martin Irwin. With 20minutes to go a planned move from the scrum seen a strong run from Andy Young take play into the 22. Again the forwards hit up and then the ball was moved through hands from Strang to Cleland who found winger Matthew Bell in space. With the try line in sight he unselfishly drew the last man and passed the Number 8 Ramage who had somehow found himself on the wing to slide in the corner to score an unconverted try. The bonus point was now achieved and the game was getting beyond the PSNI.
The game was put out of reach with 10 minutes to go when great work from front row Moxen, Irvine and Brown won a scrum against a head. Without any hesitation Number 8 Daniel Ramage picked the ball and broke from the scrum. With a handoff seen more frequently at WWE Summer Slam he beat his opposite man and skipped through the cover tackle to sprint in below the posts from 50 metres out. James Cleland slotted over the easy conversion to bring the Ballymoney scoring to an end at 3-29.
The last 10mintues Ballymoney tried to move the ball wide but PSNI showed great determination in defence and wanted to finish the game with a score. They ran the ball strong in the last 5 minutes to get a final score but again resolute defence from all the team highlighted by some bit hits by Andrew Stevenson, Matthew Steele and Peter Irvine, meant the game ended 3-29.
Thomas Hunter made some great line breaks and Daniel Ramage showed some great skill and pace to score both trys. Martin Irwin led the defence followed closely by Captain John McFetridge. However today the Main Gym Man of the Match went to Peter Irvine who worked hard in both attack and defence and was instrumental for the team have an excellent day at the set piece.
1st XV Squad: M. Blair, P. Irvine, A. Brown, A. Stevenson, M. Allan, J. McFetridge (c), D. McKeeman, D. Ramage, M. Steele, R. Strang, A. Young, M. Irwin, T. Hunter, M. Bell, J. Cleland, I. Moxen, J. Linton.
Next week Ballymoney are back at the Kilraughts road with a home game against neighbours Limavady in the league. Kick off is 2.30pm and all support will be more than welcome.
Further reading
Team Sponsors