Ballymoney 3rd Vs Grosvenor 3rd Forster Plate Qtr Final

Ballymoney 3rd Vs Grosvenor 3rd Forster Plate Qtr Final

On a damp day in the Toon, Ballymoney took to the field against a much changed Grosvenor side in a league and cup double, a side that they had beaten in Belfast earlier in the season. In what turned out to be war of attrition it took an extra 20 minutes of rugby to separate the 2 teams.

The first 20 minutes saw Ballymoney with the upper hand, but for some aggressive defence from the Grosvenor back row and the penalties against the Toon allowing Grosvenor to continually clear their lines. As the half continued Grosvenor began to build into the game. The last period of the first half saw most of the game being played in the middle of the park with neither side giving an inch. It was in this last period that Grosvenor managed probably the only clean break of the game beating the first line of defence and racing way to the line only to chased down by Welly Pearson. The Toon were the quickest to react from the tackle and turned the ball over, allowing them to clear their line with strong running out of their own 22, first by the pack and then the backs. The half drew to a close 0 – 0.

Strong words at half time demanded more of the same and the chances would come.

Again the Toon started the brighter of the 2 sides only to be let down by their indiscipline. One long range opportunity allowed Grosvenor to lead 3 nil. Not to be undone Ballymoney started to chase the game with strong running from the backs and forwards alike, leading to Grosvenor conceding a penalty to allow Thomas to step up and level the score. Despite the fact that the rotating front 5 of Garth, Ian, Alan, Gary, Joel, Alfie and Ryan being dominant in the set piece winning scrums against the head and spoiling numerous lineout the defences on both side proved to have the final say. If rules had allowed it, the Toon pack would have been able to use their dominance in the set piece, scrummaged all day and won the game up front, unfortunately under 19 rules meant we were only allowed to push a metre and a half which let Grosvenor reset numerous scrums under their posts eventually be awarded a penalty and clearing their lines.

On the final whistle of normal time the score 3 all meant that the league point where shared, but with tired legs on both sides, 10 minute each way of extra time started to decide the Qtr final.

The first period of extra time saw Grosvenor threw the kitchen sink at Toon only to be propelled back at every stage. The Toon line was not going to be crossed today. Every single member of the squad was happily putting their body on the line under the ball or whatever was being asked. The first period of extra time finished with the score still 3 all.

The second period of extra time allowed Ballymoney to show their metal in attack, sending wave after wave of players taking the hard line making ground with every play. These attacks allowed the Toon to enter the Grosvenor half and be awarded a penalty, only for Moxen to have rush of blood to the head and take a quick tap. From the resulting play the ref judged that the defending side hadn’t retreated the necessary 10 metre and reset the mark. Unfortunately for the Toon men the mark couldn’t have been in the worst area of the park, a mud hole. Not the best place for the kicker to have setup a match winning kick. Quick thinking by Gareth ordered the front row to pre roll the area. What a sight for all the spectators to see the front row rolling across the park flattening out the mud and giving Thomas every opportunity to slot over the penalty. Up steps the ever cool Skelton to slot the ball between the posts. Ballymoney lead for the first time 6 – 3 a lead they never give up, despite losing their captain for the last 4 minutes after a yellow card. A card he felt was unfairly given.

As captain I couldn’t have been prouder of every single player of the squad, before the game I asked that they give everything today and leave nothing in the changing room, not only did I get that, but more. Grosvenor could still be playing and they wouldn’t have crossed our line. I know there will be lots of very sore bodies today but roll on the semi-final in this form we will take anyone. The spirit and bond that has been growing all season especially since the turn of year when we have turned our performances into the results we have been looking for. I have deliberately tried not to single out any individual player as this would have been unfair, 1 to 18 was man of match today

Match day squad
1. Gareth Rankin 2. Ian Moxen 3. Gary Balmer 4. Joel Blair 5. Alfie Clyde 6. Phil Doherty 7. Andrew Skelton 8. Neil Campbell 9. Adam Hodges 10. Mike Armstrong 11. Andy McNaugher 12. Dean Talbot 13. Thomas Skelton 14. Robert Hanna 15. Welly Pearson 16. Alan Black 17. Ryan Caldwell 18. Justin McDaid.