"Toon" Twos run in 10 tries to beat Portadown

This week Ballymoney 2XV hosted Portadown 2XV at home in the league. Following last week's narrow defeat to Bangor, the home team were hoping for a victory at Kilraughts Road.

Ballymoney were first to open the scoring through full back Andrew Young after multiple phases and carries from the forwards allowed the full back to receive the ball and weave his way through the Portadown defence to cross the whitewash. Young converted to make the score 7-0 early in the first half. The away side opened their scoring shortly after and converted to make the score 7-7.

Ballymoney continued to pile the pressure on the away side and after winning the ball off a Portadown scrum in midfield the "Toon" used their pacey backline to gain yards and start the attack. After strong carries and line breaks from the front five Ballymoney were awarded a penalty which they decided to kick for touch as their lineout is a valuable asset. A maul was set up by the home team pack, this allowed them to drive the away side over the line for hooker Joel Heggarty to score off the driving maul. Ballymoney failed to convert, leaving the score 12-7. Portadown then levelled the score board after scoring their second try of the game after the home team's missed tackles proved to be costly.

The "Toon" were quick to get in front again after completing multiple phases through the pack and back line. Ballymoney were producing quick ball in the rucks allowing scrum half Matthew Pollock to find flanker Lewis Wray who powered through multiple tackles and ran in under the posts.

Ballymoney continued to capitilise on their momentum and off the restart second row Marcel Ngyutin leapt in the air to pluck the ball from under the nose of the competing Portadown player to regain possession for Ballymoney. After strong carries from the pack Ballymoney were awarded a penalty which they decided to kick for touch. This proved to be a good decision as they won the ball and set up the driving mall which allowed Matthew Pollock to find centre John Gilkinson who ran a hard line and crashed over to put the home team back in front by 24-12.

Portadown then put the hosts under a spell of strong Ballymoney defence which caused multiple knock-ons. Ballymoney were strong in the scrums which provided the backs with good ball and allowed centre Gilkinson to score his second try of the game. The home side then showed brilliant defence to keep the visitors out after a long period of possession and multiple phases in the home 22 and the score remained 29-12 going into the break. At half time Ballymoney made a change in the pack at second row as Alfred Clyde was replaced by Johnny McAleese and were keen to keep the momentum high going into the second half.

Ballymoney started the second half well having multiple phases through the forwards and with good weather the backs were able to run a variety of moves which split the Portadown defence. The "Toon" added another score through flanker Lewis Wray who powered over the line from close range for his second try of the game. Ballymoney converted to take the score to 36-12.

The home side continued to put in hard carries and use their backs to good effect. They won a penalty in midfield and kicked for touch. After winning the line out the backs broke the defensive line and pushed towards the Portadown try line. The forwards continued to carry the ball strongly and added offloads which took them closer to the line, enabling Centre Jonny Linton to score after crash over and take the score to 41-12. From the restart Ballymoney made their way up the pitch and from a winning scrum, out half James Cleland spread the ball wide to winger Davy Rea who touched down in the corner extending the lead to 48-12. Portadown were next to score after multiple phases and carries from their pack eventually broke the home defence.

Portadown continued to attempt to fight back and got the better of the Ballymoney pack in a few scrums. They took a quick tap penalty and eventually scored taking the score to 48-22. This turned out to be the last points for the visitors.

Ballymoney wanted to make up for conceding and were soon rewarded for their efforts. After multiple phases and pulling off a training ground call, the forward pod pulled the ball back to out half Cleland who started the passing between the back line who spread the ball wide for winger Andy McNaugher to score in the corner to finish a nice move.

The home side topped the scoring off through full back Andy Young who scored his second try after strong running of the forwards broke the Portadown defence. Scrum half Matthew Pollock continued to produce quick ball from the rucks and found Young who touched down from close range. Young converted and made the score 60-22.

The final 10 minutes were a physical encounter, Ballymoney continued to win their set piece ball which allowed them to keep possession and start further attacks although no further points were added. Overall this was a great team performance from the "Toon" who worked hard on defence in training last week which proved to be strong when Portadown applied pressure. To run in 10 tries in any game proves their strength in attack which was a consistent threat. Ballymoney will use training this week to prepare for a tough home fixture at home game to Banbridge 3XV.

Ballymoney 2XV: 1. Adam Wright, 2. Joel Heggarty, 3. Jack Anderson, 4. Andrew Millar, 5. Marcel Ngyutin, 6. Alfred Clyde, 7. Lewis Wray, 8. Andrew Stevenson, 9. Matthew Pollock, 10. James Cleland, 11. Andy Mcnaugher, 12. Jonny Linton, 13. John Gilkinson, 14. Davy Rea, 15. Andrew Young, Subs: 16. Daniel McCord, 17. Johnny McAleese