Ballymoney 2XV beaten by Banbridge 3XV

This week Ballymoney 2XV hosted Banbridge 3XV hoping to replicate last week's performance against Portadown.

Banbridge were first to open the scoring after a number of missed tackles allowed the visitors to score under the posts and convert to make the score 7-0. Ballymoney went straight up the pitch seeking their first points of the day. After multiple phases and strong carries from the forwards they won a penalty and opted to kick for touch. Ballymoney won the lineout and with a driving mall, advanced into the visitors 22 metre line, allowing the ball to be recycled and make use of their strong back line. The “Toon" forwards continued to make yards through strong carries but were forced into making a change when second row Marcel Ngyutin suffered an ankle injury. Andrew Stevenson came on and Ballymoney won a scrum in midfield to re-start their attack, eventually crossing the line as back row Lewis Wray powered over from close range. Ballymoney full back Andrew Young converted to make the score 7-7.

Ballymoney continued to pile on the pressure and were awarded a penalty in the opposition 22, however they pulled the kick just wide to keep the score at 7 points a piece. The visitors were next to get points on the board after a number of phases in the Ballymoney 22 led to an unconverted try in the corner.

Ballymoney maintained the pressure just before the half and eventually scored after winning a scrum in midfield and using the backs to great effect to gain yards. The forwards continued with strong carries and recycled the ball quickly which allowed scrum half Matthew Pollock to pick the ball and find a gap to score under the posts making the score 12-12 at the break.

In the second half Ballymoney had good possession and were successful in their scrums and lineouts. Banbridge were reduced to 14 men after a lack of discipline resulted in a red card for their Hooker. Ballymoney re-shuffled the back line with James Allen coming into scrum-half and Lewis Wray went into the backline. Hooker Curtis Montgomery replaced Pollock and Joel Heggarty moved into the back row.

Ballymoney were keen to capitalise on the extra man but the visitors were next to put points on the board after breaking through several missed tackles and crossed the whitewash to lead 17-12.

Banbridge continued to push the hosts and scored next after they broke the Ballymoney line and defensive errors from the hosts allowed the visitors to run in under the posts. Ballymoney made their final change 15 minutes from time as prop Jack Anderson was replaced by Dan McCord. The hosts continued to fight back however despite pressure they couldn't capitalise making the final score 24-12 to Banbridge.

Overall it was physical game in which Ballymoney missed too many tackles causing them to concede four tries. The 2XV have no game next week but will be sure to use training to work on errors in defence and become more clinical in attack.

Ballymoney 2XV: 1. Adam Wright, 2. Joel Heggarty, 3. Jack Anderson, 4.Andrew Millar, 5. Marcel Ngyutin, 6. Garvin Bellingham, 7. Lewis Wray, 8. Alfie Clyde, 9. Matthew Pollock, 10. James Cleland, 11. Simon McCrea, 12. Jonny Linton, 13. John Gilkinson, 14. James Allan, 15. Andrew Young, Subs: 16. Curtis Montgomery, 17. Daniel McCord, 18. Andrew Stevenson