Ballymoney 4ths 29 - 0 Innishowen

Innishowen started the game a brightly, looking for fast ball to test the Ballymoney defence Ballymoney defended stoutly trying to match the early tempo set by their visitors from Regional League West. It was four weeks since Ballymoney’s last competitive match and they quickly needed to find their stride. The Ballymoney defence line held firm as Inishowen strived to make the early breakthrough. Midway through the first half the Ballymoney pack, who were gaining the upper hand, picked and drove a number of good phases of play. This set up flanker Jonny McAleese who powered his way over the line for the opening score of the match. Ballymoney collected the restart and continued with applying pressure to the visitors, dominating the scrum and controlling the lineout. Second row Jonathan Waide was having a good match collecting his own line out ball including a couple of good steals on the opposition throw. It was after one of these set pieces that centre Darren Smyth drew his man and released winger Ryan Miller to sprint clear and score in the corner. Ryan Brace narrowly missing the conversion as Ballymoney ended the first half twelve points to nil ahead.
The second half kicked off with the home side keen to add to their advantage. A solid Ballymoney scrum, saw Jordan McCaw beat his opposite number and off load to Jonny Litton. The speedy fullback offered a perfect reverse a pass back inside to centre Andy Borthwick who ghosted past three Inshowen defenders and finish with a spectacular dive over the line, for the score of the game. Jonny Litton was next on the score sheet. The fullback squeezing over again after some good work by the pack. The final score came again after a period of sustained Ballymoney pressure. Andy Borthwick powering over his second score sheet with a fine try with ten minutes to go. Ryan Brace adding the extras for the final scoring of the match. Ballymoney 29 – Inishowen 0
Team Manager Sam Speers commented after the game. “That was a good performance. We were slow at starting however executed some clinical finishing when we got going. Inishowen gave a good account of themselves, we had to defend hard, however we rarely looked in any danger.”
The fourths now have a week off before they prepare for the third round of the McCambley cup on the 15 December 18.