Comfortable Towns’ Cup passage for Second XV

Two Ballymena Second XV players grapple for a loose ball during Saturday's Towns' Cup win over Ballymoney. INBT 08-850H

The early play was fairly even until Rory Drysdale opened the scoring for Ballymena after 10 minutes with a penalty, 3-0.

This was followed two minutes later, when a driving maul by the home pack saw Andrew Ferguson touched down for Drysdale to add the conversion, 10-0.

Ballymoney continued to contest the forward exchanges and their efforts were rewarded mid-way through the half, when Neil Mulholland drove over the home line for a try. The Ballymoney out-half added conversion leaving the difference between the sides only three points.

Ballymena then started to make more use their talented backs, and in the second quarter, they ran in three tries.

Good work by O’Hara and Drysdale paved the way for a fine score from winger Robbie McGreer. Rory Drysdale missed the touch line conversion, 15-7.

Moments later a penetrating run by Mike Smith took him clear of the Ballymoney defence for a try which Rory Drysdale duly converted, 22-7. Just on the stroke of half-time,

Robbie McGreer rounded off another fine back movement with his second try of the game, to leave the home side in a very commanding position. The conversion was missed but Ballymena led 27-7 at the break.

In the second period, with the aid of the fresh breeze, Ballymoney for a time raised their game, and reduced the leeway five minutes into the half, with a try from James Clelland after a surging drive form their pack. The conversion was missed, 27-12.

From the restart Ballymena gradually regained control, and before the end, put the issue beyond doubt with two further scores.

First, a determined drive from the home pack paved the way for a try by flanker Shane McBurney, and then, following severe pressure from the home forwards on the Ballymoney line, the referee awarded Ballymena a penalty try, which Davy O’Hara easily converted to complete the scoring, 37-12.

Seconds: Andrew Ferguson, James Carmichael, Chris Cundell, Ian Caldwell, Alan Smith, Shane McBurney, Willie McKay, Mark Foster, Richard McCrudden, David Ohara, Rory Smith, Mikey Smith, Chris Watson, Robbie McGreer, Rory Drysdale Subs: Jarrad Bowes, Paul Rainey