Ballymena shade another low-scoring tie to keep promotion hopes intact

Ballymena players go on the charge to open the scoring. INBT08-283AC

An 8-3 home win over Bective Rangers means that Ballymena’s last three AIL outings have produced just 37 points in total!

With the recent weather front that has been affecting games the length and breadth of the country this game was also cast into doubt before an early morning inspection deemed the pitch playable.

The game got underway with Ballymena playing into a strong breeze and driving rain which gave the visitors an early advantage.

After a series of lineouts Bective put the Braidmen’s attack under pressure which led to a penalty for the visitors in front of the posts.

The Bective out-half duly slotted the ball between the uprights to open the scoring.

After the restart Bective rarely ventured back into the Ballymena half.

The Braidmen started to dominate the set pieces with Andrew Warwick, John Andrew and Bryan Young getting the better of their opposite numbers.

After a prolonged period of pressure by the home side the ball was fired out to the wing where number eight Adrian Hamilton was waiting to run in for a try.

Ballymena centre Callum Patterson struggled with the soft underfoot conditions and sent the conversion wide, to keep the score at 5-3.

Ballymena played out the remaining of the half deep in the Bective half but a scrambling Bective defence kept the Braidmen out.

The second half started with Ballymena on top and after another prolonged period of play, Ballymena were awarded a penalty for an infringement on the ground. This time Callum Patterson planted his supporting foot firmly as he booted the ball through the posts, 8-5.

Despite enjoying the better possession, Ballymena were unable to add to their score as they closed out the game for a vital win.

With this win Ballymena see their promotion chances boosted as they remain in fifth place but now only one point of second place Barnhall.

The Braid men also have a game in hand over the the top four sides which leaves their promotion destiny firmly in their own hands.

Ballymena switch their attention back to the Ulster Senior League this weekend with an away trip to Ballynahinch, which pits first against second in the table.