Bratton’s late try secures win for Nicholl’s men

Although Bratton will grab all the headlines with the winning try, young full back Simon Logue to produce a game changing moment to setup the decisive try.

The game looked destine for a draw and was deadlocked at 3-3 deep into injury time when it took a moment of ambition from Logue.

Ballymena were pressing for victory on the Derry 22 metre lines as their full back Rory Drysdale drilled a grubber kick behind the defensive line, enter Logue as covering full back to just touch down over the line for a drop out 22.

Logue sprinted to the 22 and kicked down field to setup a miss match sprint for possession with the Ballymena Hooker John Andrew that took play just inside the Braidmen’s 22.

The covering right winger Matt Johnson almost knocked on into Logue’s arms but the ball went to ground and a scrum to Derry.

The Derry scrum half Jack Caithness put into a dominant hometown pack and quality possession was assured, Caithness found Mark Robinson who had come off the bench at out half. Robinson worked a crash ball with centre Bratton who feigned a wraparound move with Robinson, this fixed the Ballymena defensive line and allowed him to powerfully break through on the 22 and make his way for the try line.

The covering Ballymena winger Jordan Foster sprinted across the field to tackle Bratton who was in full flight. He was unable to stop the giant centre as all he could do was to hang on as Bratton touched down for an unconverted try to euphoric scenes from Derry players and supporters.

The game started in perfect conditions with all the early pressure coming from Ballymena but Derry coaches Mark Nicholl and Ashley Blair must be very proud of their team’s defensive performance all afternoon.

The home side’s backs and forwards were outstanding in their discipline, commitment to the tackle and trust in one another as Ballymena failed to create a single try scoring opportunity all afternoon.

Nicholl had to go to the bench on 12 minutes when Paul McFeely had to retire injured due to getting fingers in his eyes and unable to see, he was replaced by Bob McKillop who had to put in a longer shift than expected.

Minutes later Derry missed a difficult penalty kick and had to bring David Funston from the bench on 20 minutes for Josh Lewis who had a hamstring injury.

Derry had another penalty miss just before the half hour mark as they finished the half on top but the score remained score-less at the break.

Good play from Bib McKillop, Sam Duffy and Dickey won a penalty for Derry on 50 minutes and Neil Burns put the Judges Road men in front from 30 metres.

Soon after Derry were unfortunately caught off side and Rory Drysdale levelled things from the resulting penalty.

Ballymena went off side at the breakdown and had wing forward Matty Rea sin binned but that was equalised a minute later when Derry’s David Funston was sent to the bin for the afternoon on 35 minutes. Ballymena came looking for victory as the game clock ran out and the impossible was made possible courtesy of Simon Logue, Jack Caithness, Mark Robinson and star man Adam Bratton.

Stephen Corr, Richard Baird and Stephen Dickey were outstanding all afternoon but the Man of the Match accolade must go to scrum half Jack Caithness who was everywhere all day linking with back and forwards while always playing heads up rugby.

This win keeps Derry’s season still on course vying for promotion around the top of the All Ireland League Division 2A table.

City of Derry: Shields, Ferguson, Duffy, Cooper, McFeely, Corr, Dickey, Baird, Caithness, Semple, Campbell, Bratton, Burns, Lewis, Logue.