JKC/Causeway Geotech–sponsored Ballymoney 1st XV returned to league action following a two-week break, welcoming Belfast side C.I.Y.M.S to Kilraughts Road. The home side were hoping to reverse the defeat suffered in their previous meeting.

The Toon were boosted by the return of player/coach Marty Irwin at 12, while Ollie Mossie made his first league start in the back row.

In a must-win game, Ballymoney started strongly. After a powerful 35-metre burst from centre Owen Boyd deep into the CI 22, the pack recycled the ball before Daniel Ramage crashed over to open the scoring. The conversion was missed, leaving Ballymoney 5–0 ahead.

Ballymoney stretched their lead when a clearance kick from James Wright was chased down by Owen Boyd, who made the tackle inside the CI 22. The ball was moved wide to Marty Irwin, who finished in the corner. The conversion was added to take the score to 12–0.

A Paddy Carson penalty on 20 minutes extended the lead to 15–0 before CIYMS hit back, scoring from a strong scrum five metres out. The conversion reduced the margin to 15–7.

Ballymoney attacked again and were awarded another penalty just outside the 22. This time they opted for the corner, but strong CI defence cleared the ball upfield. A charged-down clearance near the Ballymoney 22 allowed CI to score their second try against the run of play, narrowing the gap to 15–12.

CI then took the lead just before half time following a period of dominance, sending the sides into the break with the visitors in front 17–15.

Early in the second half, a try from David Brown, converted from the touchline by Carson, swung the game back in Ballymoney’s favour at 22–17. Ten minutes later, The Toon increased their advantage when James Wright took a quick tap penalty just outside the CI 22, with the supporting Carson crossing the line and adding the conversion to make it 29–17.

CI responded with another converted try following a scrum penalty, closing the score to 29–24 with ten minutes remaining and setting up a nervous finish for Ballymoney. However, the home side held firm to record a much-needed bonus-point win.

Skipper David Brown said after the game:
“Delighted with the win; it was a must-win game and securing a bonus point might prove important at the end of the season. It’s been an extremely difficult start to the season, but this takes us into the double header with Randalstown in a better place. We dominated the early exchanges but let CI back into the game. We do so many positives but then a mistake undoes all our good work. There is no lack of effort from the players, but we need to eliminate errors from our game, and we can only do this with a big week at training. However, tonight we enjoy the win! Thanks again to everyone on the touchline; we really do appreciate the support and hope to see you back as we face Randalstown this Saturday.”