JKC/Causeway Geotech sponsored Ballymoney 1st XV were on their travels again on Saturday when they returned to Barban Hill to face an unbeaten Dromore side, on a wet blustery October afternoon.

Jason Clyde made his first appearance of the season for the 1s at tight head with Curtis Pollock returning in the back row and Matthew Bell back from injury partnering Marty Irwin in the centre.

Ballymoney played into a strong wind first half and in an extremely physical and entertaining first half, it wasn’t until the 30th minute Dromore took the lead after the visitors were penalised, with the home side taking a three point lead. Ballymoney hit straight back and after a sustained period of pressure a deft reserve pass just short of the line from Matthew Pollock was gathered by Jason Clyde who powered over the line. Paddy Carson added the conversion, and the visitors went into the break 7-3 to the good.

With Dromore now playing into the strong wind they retained possession of the ball tremendously well and with ten minutes gone they took the lead with a try down the right wing. They soon added a second not long after the restart stretching the lead to 15-7.

Ballymoney defended wave after wave of Dromore attack and it wasn’t long before the third try came. Ballymoney lost centre Bell with a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury and Jack Speer left the field with a suspected broken hand. Dromore now had their tails up and with further tries to follow the game finished 41-7.

“It was a disappointing finish after such a good first half but the home side were relentless and played some very good rugby in the second half,” said David Brown after the game.

“We regroup and look forward to a rest weekend before concentrating on our next game which is back at Kilraughts Road against newly promoted Lurgan. It will be good to get back home as we have only had one home fixture to date in our first seven games. Nice to see and hear a big support again but we look forward to getting back in front of our home supporters.”