Plate success for Ballymena’s under-13 rugby players

Ballymena under-13s who won the Ulster Plate competition after beating Ballyclare in Saturday's final at COokstown.

The boys heave been getting better with every week of the season an hopes were high that they could bring back a second trophy for the youth section.

In the early stages, some quick thinking from scrum half Mackenzie saw the ball moved to man of the match McLoughlin.

He outsprinted several defenders before touching down for the first of his four tries. Ramsey stepped up and slotted the conversion and the 13s were on their way.

Showing great determination at the breakdown Pattison won the ball and it was moved through several sets of hands before getting to Houston who drove through several tackles before scoring in the corner.

Ballyclare were rocked and from the kick off McKeown and Lennon combined to free Mcloughlin who raced down the wing to score in the corner.

The second half saw more pressure from the Under 13s, however against the run of play Ballyclare managed to put a try on the board.

This stung the 13s back into action and they were soon back in Ballyclare territory where Mark scooped up a loose ball to run away from several defenders before touching down for a well deserved score.

The 13s were now determined to put the game beyond their rivals and a breakaway try from Houston added more points to the score board.

Ballyclare again worked hard and struck back with a try but it was too late to have an impact on the game as Haveron and Munce combined in a slick back line move to release McLoughlin who cruised across the line for his hat trick.

The re-start saw McKenna release McConkey who passed to Morrison. He accepted his opportunity and dived to score in the corner.

The 13s finished strongly with substitutes Walker and Higgins combining to release Houston who crossed for his second score of the game.

The game was complete when some strong tackling from McAuley and Fullerton saw the ball overturned. McKay picked up the loose ball and released Scullion. He passed to O’Rawe who drove strongly before releasing the ever alert McLoughlin who completed the scoring with his fourth try of the game as the 13s showed the progress they have made and the boys are a credit to their coaches and to the Club.