Academy enjoy victory at Roughfort

Belfast Royal Academy entertained Ballymena Academy in typically blustery conditions at the Roughfort playing fields.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Nov 2013, 15:00 BST
Ryan Gregg and Elaine Nicholl of Rainey & Gregg present a new set of jerseys to Ballymena Academy 1st XV captain Duncan Maguire (left) and vice-captain Justin Jolly while looking on are team coach John Andrews and 1st XV player Philip Stevenson. INBT 44-172CSRyan Gregg and Elaine Nicholl of Rainey & Gregg present a new set of jerseys to Ballymena Academy 1st XV captain Duncan Maguire (left) and vice-captain Justin Jolly while looking on are team coach John Andrews and 1st XV player Philip Stevenson. INBT 44-172CS
Ryan Gregg and Elaine Nicholl of Rainey & Gregg present a new set of jerseys to Ballymena Academy 1st XV captain Duncan Maguire (left) and vice-captain Justin Jolly while looking on are team coach John Andrews and 1st XV player Philip Stevenson. INBT 44-172CS

The home side were missing several players from their pack and Ballymena travelled without a number of regulars, amongst them Josh McIlroy, Justin Jolly and Connor White.

Marcus Rea narrowly missed with an early penalty attempt into the wind, but the B.R.A. kicker, with the advantage of the breeze, made no mistake moments later.

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Midway through the first half, from a scrum, Ballymena attacked the narrow side and Jonny Rosborough powered over for the try. Andrew Magrath added the conversion to take the lead to 7–3. Ballymena continued to apply pressure and Magrath went close with two more penalty attempts.

Moments before half time, Ballymena recycled the ball quickly through several phases and Jonathan McKeown was on hand to score in the corner. Magrath’s touchline conversion just held up in the strong breeze to leave the score reading 12–3 at half time.

In the second half B.R.A. enjoyed a sustained period of possession during which time Jordan Hylton looked dangerous with the ball in hand. Ballymena defended well during this period of play with Magrath and Craig Hanna kicking well for the away team.

Not for the first time in the game, Jonny Rosborough made a telling line break and, despite a fantastic cover tackle from Hylton, the supporting Dean Reynolds was on hand to touch down in the corner. Andrew Magrath added a further penalty to leave the final score 20–3 to Ballymena.

Ballymena Academy: Hanna, Rosborough, Magrath, Rea, Kosch, Small, Archer; Gillan, McNabney, Bill, Joe Thompson, Millar, Josh Thompson, McKeown, Maguire. Replacements Stevenson, Reynolds

Related topics:BallymenaBallymena Academy