On Saturday, the JKC/Causeway Geotech sponsored Ballymoney 1st XV made the journey to Chambers Park, Portadown looking to turn their fortunes around as they seek their first league victory after a few narrow defeats. Scott Gamble returned to the front row with Marty Irwin and Andy Young both making their first start of the season in the centre.
Ballymoney knew they would have to be at their best against a very strong Portadown team. They started with a high intensity and took the lead early on when Rory Strang converted a penalty after a Portadown high tackle.
The Toon men increased the lead when a penalty in midfield was kicked to the corner; from this lineout, the ball was moved back infield and following a number of strong carries from the pack, Matthew Pollock saw a gap and nipped over the line to score the first try of the game. Portadown went on the attack but resolute defending from the visitors was the order of the day, and the home pressure came to nothing; the first half came to an end with Ballymoney 8 points to the good.
Portadown started the second half on the front foot and scored a try within 5 minutes of the restart, pressure on the Toon 22 led to the second row putting through a deft kick gathered by the Ports fly half who also added the conversion 8-7. Straight from the high restart, skipper Will Scott gathered the kick, broke a tackle and fed Curtis Pollock who offloaded to Daniel Ramage who crashed over and with Strang adding the conversion, the Toon were back in the lead 15-8.
Again Portadown pressed inside the 22 but strong defence again from the visitors kept the home team at bay and after a sustained period of home pressure the Toon men regathered the ball and put the home side on the back foot. With 15 minutes remaining on the clock, Irwin spotted a gap chipped the ball through and gathered his own kick to score a sublime try, again Strang adding the extras, taking the score to 22-8.
With under 10 minutes remaining, Portadown reduced the deficit with another converted try which led to a tight last five but again, some great defensive work by the visitors kept the home side out and Ballymoney came away with the win 22-15.
“Superb result and a terrific performance from one to 18 today “said Chris McIlmoyle after the game. “We were disappointed last week not to get the win, but we knew what we had to do today to make it right. I felt we set the intensity levels today, played to our strengths and cut out on the penalties we had been giving away in previous weeks. Our set piece was excellent today and we played some terrific rugby, our defence was well organised and disciplined, we trusted each other and knew our chances would come and they did. We look forward to having a rest week before we get back at it again. Its good to head into a break after a positive performance and a victory which will also keep the confidence high too. Again, I’d like to thank the supporters who travelled to the game today, it is great to hear the familiar voices on the side-lines.”