Two Ballymena youth sides reach cup finals

BALLYMENA Under 17 rugby team booked their place in the Cup Final at Ravenhill with a fabulous 17-10 victory over Carrick on Saturday.
Ballymena U-13 player Aaron Houston hands off his Banbridge opponent to score a try. INBT16-251ACBallymena U-13 player Aaron Houston hands off his Banbridge opponent to score a try. INBT16-251AC
Ballymena U-13 player Aaron Houston hands off his Banbridge opponent to score a try. INBT16-251AC

The 17s finished one point behind Carrick in the Premier League and were determined to make amends for that disappointment.

From an early penalty, Bell kicked the ball to the visitors five metre line. The line out from Mills was accurate and a driving maul saw the boys held up inches short of the line. A smart pass played in McKillen who drove strongly for the first score of the game.

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The rest of the first half was a tight and tense affair with Ballymena unable to break through with Gilkinson being held up just short of the line by some excellent tackling.

Carrick then had a period of pressure which saw them move upfield before scoring in the corner.

Despite playing into the wind in the second half, Ballymena held their own and from a line out set up a forwards move which saw Hunter drive through a despairing tackle to score in the corner.

Kerr then played in McKillen whose blind side run at a ruck caught Carrick by surprise. He then slipped the ball to Mattison who ran up the wing before side stepping the full back to score under the posts. McNeill stepped up and hit the conversion and there was now some space between the two teams.

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As the match headed to the final minutes nerves began to show and a series of silly penalties allowed Carrick excellent field position and they eventually ran in a score in the corner.

The last four minutes was nerve racking for coaches and supporters however Ballymena defended strongly to take a magnificent victory which takes the youth section back to Ravenhill for the first time in five years. The boys now look forward to a final against Dromore on May 4.

UNDER-13

Ballymena Under 13s continued their tremendous season with a stunning 22-15 win over the much fancied Banbridge in Saturday’s Plate semi-final.

Led by Pattison the boys were soon on the front foot and Fulleton released the impressive McLoughlin who raced past two defenders before touching down in the corner.

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With Banbridge pressing Marks cleverly intercepted and ran almost the length of the pitch before touching down under the posts. Ramsey converted and the boys were now 12 points clear.

The second half saw McKenna and Morrison take the ball deep into the Banbridge ‘22’ before McKeown scooped up a loose ball and crashed over for a score.

The 13s appeared to be on their way however Banbridge hit back with two quick scores to make make the remainder of the match a nervous affair.

With Munce being denied close to the corner Banbridge broke up the pitch and another score brought them within two points of the Ballymena boys. However the 13s were not going to be denied and some strong forward play took the boys back into the Banbridge half before the ball was passed to Houston his strong run saw him fend off several tacklers before crossing to score in the corner.

Head coach Don Pattison said: “I am delighted for the boys, they have improved with each week of the season and they are a credit to their coaches and the club.”