Derry prove too strong for Ballymena Thirds

The Braid men knew this was always going to be a tough game as City of Derry’s First and Second XVs had no game.

The travelling team was a much stronger and fitter side to the team the Braid men faced and beat in the reverse fixture at the start of the season.

The game kicked off with Derry running the ball deep into the home sides half but the Braidmen stood strong to repeal several attacks before turning the ball over and clearing their lines.

Ballymena saw plenty of ball in the first half and battled hard keeping the much bigger team out.

On the stroke of half-time City of Derry finally breached the home side’s stubborn defence to score out wide. The conversion was missed and the half finished 0-5.

The second half started with Ballymena on the attack and some last ditched tackling by the City of Derry team kept the home side out.

As the game continued the fitter visiting side started to find holes in the home defence and ran in a further four unconverted tries.