Braidmen lose another close encounter in AIL

However, it wasn’t a disastrous day for Andy Graham’s side, as they managed to pick up a losing bonus point which actually saw them move up a place, to third in the table.

The game started with Ballymena getting the better of the Tipperary-based visitors in the breakdown with great yards being made by the forwards.

The Cashel defence stood strong repelling several good attacking moves by the home side as the first half finished scoreless.

The second half started again with the Braid men on the attack and it wasn’t long before they opened up the scoring when number eight Adrian Hamilton intercepted the ball to sprint 40 metres to touch down. Full back Rory Drysdale added the conversion, 7-0.

From the restart Ballymena saw little of the ball for the rest of the game as Cashel recycled the ball well at the breakdown.

The second half was 20 minutes old when Cashel were awarded a penalty in front of the posts when the Ballymena tackler didn’t roll away on the floor. The Cashel out-half slotted the ball between the post, 7-3.

Shortly after this, the Cashel tight head prop injured himself meaning the scrums had to go uncontested taking away the advantage the Braidmen had over the visitors.

The clock was running out when Ballymena cleared their line deep into the Cashel half. The defending winger seemed to knock the ball on but this went unnoticed by the referee and played continued. The ball was recycled well by Cashel until they were awarded a penalty.

Knowing three points were no use, the out half kicked the ball into touch for a line out. Cashel collected the ball setting up a team drive. The forwards took the ball to the line before the ball carrier spun off the back to dot the ball down. The conversion was missed.

There was time for a restart but unfortunately Ballymena could not get the ball back and Cashel held on for a hard fought win, leaving Ballymena to regroup before they go on the road to Cork.