Twos record hard fought win away at Ballyclare

Right from kick off it was clear this was going to be a close game, both teams contesting everything and working hard.

Once again, Coleraine showed their impenetrable defence. Ballyclare never showed any sign of breaking the Coleraine line, with all 15 Coleraine men putting in great tackles.

Most of the play was in the Ballyclare half as the Coleraine men piled on the pressure. Coleraine were awarded a penalty 20 minutes into the first half but the attempt drifted just off target in the strong winds.

The pressure continued and five minutes later the Coleraine forwards won another penalty right in front of the posts. Steven Callaghan made no mistake in slotting it over. 0-3

The second half began strongly for the Coleraine men with Russell Smyth winning scrums against the head, Greg Neely and Simon McLean stealing line out ball and Ali Irwin making some great runs in the back line. The team really started to pile the pressure deep into the Ballyclare 22.

Eventually all the hard work by the Coleraine forwards paid off in the 55th minute as they got the ball out to Steven Callaghan who broke the game line with a super run.

Callaghan off-loaded to Jamie Carson who set Russell Smyth up for a well deserved try in the corner to cap his man of the match performance. The conversion was narrowly missed by Steven Callaghan.

Captain Ady Nevin said after the game: “This was a great hard fought win for the Coleraine men. I was very impressed with everyone’s work rate and in particular the outstanding defence resulting in a third clean sheet in a row.”

The Seconds have no match this week.