Bonus point victory provides perfect start for Braidmen

Ballymena took to field full of confidence after victories over Harlequins and Dungannon.

From the kick off Ballymena used the perfect conditions to throw the ball about and play a fast, exciting type of rugby. Ballymena were soon rewarded when a great team move was finished by flanker Michael Entwhistle. Timmy Small missed the conversion from the touch line.

Galwegians got themselves back in the game after several penalties given away by Ballymena at the scrum. The visitors kicked for the corner and from the line out they broke the Braidmen’s defence to score to the right of he post. The conversion was missed to leave the scores level at 5-5.

Ballymena regained the lead several minutes later when they were awarded a penalty in their own half. Timmy Small pointed at the posts and the resulting kick was dispatched between the uprights, 8-5.

With 20 minutes gone, Ballymena extended their lead. This time it was prop Bryan Young who crossed the line when Ballymena stretched the Galwegians defence. Timmy Small added the conversion,.

For the next 10 minutes Ballymena found themselves under pressure as Galwegians used their much bigger pack to set a platform in the scrum. Galwegians finally added to the their total when they added a penalty, 15-8.

With the first half running out Ballymena launched another attack and after great hands by the backs, Jordon Foster was released to score in the corner - his sixth try in three games. The conversion was missed, half time 20-8.

Ballymena started the second half the way they ended the first but this time it was full back Timmy Small who showed great pace and footwork to cross the chalk mark. The conversion was missed, 25-8.

A few minutes later Galwegians reduced the deficit when again they were awarded a penalty taking the score to 25-11.

Ballymena were dominating all aspects of the game and it was from a line out steal that they set up their next try. The ball was won by Mathew Rea who tapped it down to Dave Shanahan. The ball was whipped out wide but Galwegians covered the move well until the ball was moved back inside where Connor Smith couldn’t be stopped and his try sealed the bonus point. Timmy Small added the extras, 32-11.

Ten minutes from time Galwegians were awarded another penalty which the full back added, 32-14.

With full time approaching, man of the match Glen Bailey chipped the ball over the defence for Callum Patterson to race onto and score. The conversion was missed and the game finished 37-14.

Ballymena: Bryan Young, John Andrew, Adrian Kirkpatrick, David Whann, Connor Smith, Mathew Rea, Michael Entwhistle, Adrian Hamilton, Dave Shanahan, Glen Bailey, Jamie Smith, Mike McKeever, Ricky Andrew, Jordon Foster, Tim Small