Thirds earn Ravenhill Final

On a perfect day for Rugby, City of Derry 3XV travelled to Kilraughts Road to challenge Ballymoney in the Foster Plate Semi Final. The sides had meet 3 times previously this season, with two draws and a last minute 2 point win for Derry, so both teams knew the game was there to be won. This time however, the reward for victory would be a Kingspan Stadium Final in April.

Ballymoney fielded a well rounded side, built around the experience of Neil Campbell, Gareth Rankin, Alfie Clyde, Gareth McCrea and Kenny McAneaney up front, with plenty of young talent including a number of the successful Under 19 side, now stepping up to senior rugby.

The game started with Ballymoney playing away from the club house and into a deceptive breeze. The home side struggled to get into the game in the opening exchanges with Derry’s big ball carriers causing problems. Ballymoney weren’t helped when U19 fly half, Andy Young was forced from the field with a shoulder injury. This caused a reshuffle in the back line, with Russell Irwin moving into the out half role. With barely any time to get used to the position, and having little time to get the ball away, Irwin’s attempted clearance was changed down by the onrushing defence, well gathered and offloaded for Derry’s centre to score under the posts for an easy conversion.

Derry then missed a number of chances to extend their lead, through missed penalty kicks, but they persevered with the boot, landing one successfully to move into a 10-0 lead. They should have finished a number of try scoring chances - but for the brilliant covering tackles of Andy McNaugher. They would take this lead into half time, but the home side had plenty of reasons to be optimistic, having ended the half strongly, with their ball carriers getting into the game, Nathanael McCollum leading the charge.

HALF TIME: Ballymoney 0-10 City of Derry

Derry weren’t going to lie down easily, and delivered Ballymoney a wake up call - breaking the line for a second converted try and a 17-0 lead. Time for a shift in momentum.

Kenny McAneaney was leading the defensive effort with a number of big hits in midfield, but it was the barnstorming run of second row Andrew Miller down the left wing that caught the attention of the crowd, as he charged at full pace, 30, 40, 50 meters, busting a number of would be tackles.

Ballymoney finally got points on the board, as Ben Graham, freshly on the pitch, barged his way over the try line for his first senior try. Russell Irwin brilliantly slotted the difficult conversion. 7-17 would soon become 12-17 when the Toon made the most of their territorial advantage as Gareth McCrea dotted down off the back of a strong line-out drive.

Ballymoney’s set piece was starting to come together, and the pack were awarded a scrum penalty for their efforts. Quick thinking, a quick tap and quick feet allowed scrum half Matthew Pollock to jinx his way over from 15 meters out, and the scores were level, 17-17. Irwin was unable to convert… twice, as he was allowed to kick again due to an early charge on the first effort. A further chance to take the lead was missed, rebounding off the post, but Ballymoney still had the territorial advantage and all the momentum. City of Derry were reduced to 14 men, losing their patience and getting on the wrong side of the referee.

Then came the moment of the match, with Alfie Clyde, who had worked hard all day up front, picked a perfect line off Pollock, pirouetting out of the tackle to sprint in. The conversion was missed, but Ballymoney had the lead and the composure to hold on to victory and book themselves a place at Ravenhill on the 18th of April!

FULL TIME: Ballymoney 22-17 City of Derry