On a glorious sunny day Ballymoney's 2nd XV took to the field at Kilraughts Road against Dromore 2s.

With some late changes to the initially named side, Zach Dunn moved in to hooker, with Dan McCord stepping in to cover at prop. Sam Brown came into the back row as well. In the backs, Jonny Linton was welcomed back at fly-half, with McMullan moving out to the centre. Paddy Cramsie, Jack Harte and Davy Rea made an all-changed back three to last week. David Barkley, Ryan Millar, and Ro Diedricks provided cover from the bench.

With the warm weather and lively crowd creating a great atmosphere, both sides looked to run the ball as often as possible. And it was the home side who were fastest off the mark. First Jack Alexander burrowed over from short range, then Jack Harte ran it in from 50m after a defensive turnover and good hands from Linton through McMullan in the centre. McMullan converted both tries for a 14-0 lead.

Dromore fought back with a try straight from a missed throw in the lineout, before Ballymoney's Andy Millar returned the favour, finishing off a sparkling move begun by Davy Rea's weaving run.

At 21-7 both sides looked dangerous - and it was the visitors next on the scoresheet, first winning a turnover in midfield and breaking up their right hand side. And then another score after a couple of penalties for dissent, quickly followed by another attack up the right and Dromore were suddenly ahead 26-21.

But Ronan Diedricks, on for Rea after a hamstring tweak, managed to find room for a clean break around the ruck, then scorched through the visitors back line to score under the post to put the home side back in front.

Half time provided some welcome relief from an exhausting game for both sides, and the match was tightly poised at 28-26.

After a breathtaking first half the second half started more evenly - both sides had a renewed focus on ball retention and defensive alignment, and both started to adjust to the law interpretations this year.

Dromore were first to score in the second half. A spell of possession led to a series of lineouts - and after a yellow card for Ballymoney bringing down the maul near the line, their backs made the extra space count with the centre cutting onto a great ball to slice through the defensive line.

And a few minutes later Logan McIntyre also saw yellow for an apparently deliberate knock on whilst chasing back in defence. Given the tight nature of the contest, Dromore opted for a kick at goal from the resulting penalty, well converted from 35m to put them a crucial 8 points clear at 36-28.

But Ballymoney weathered the storm with 13 men and then 14 - an exchange of penalties taking the score to 39-31 before a try for Ballymoney brought it to 39-36, setting up a grandstand finish with a few minutes remaining.

And sure enough the home side built up the pressure on a tiring visiting defence. With the last attack of the game, captain Jason Clyde took a tap penalty from five metres out and bulldozed his way over the line, heavily supported by Millar and most of the pack. Cramsie converted for a 43-39 victory to start the celebrations.

This was a remarkable game, played in a great spirit from both sides - and with 11 tries, the lead changing hands multiple times each half, and both sides feeling like they let a few soft ones in as well - there will be a lot to take away.

From Ballymoney a special mention must go to the front row of McCord, Dunn, and Clyde - coping well with a physical Dromore scrum and all playing the full 80 minutes on a very warm day.

Next week the 2s are away to Omagh, whose 2nd XV will be looking to start their campaign with a bang. With the step up in level from last year, this will surely be another tough encounter for the Toon men, who will look to build on this weekend's result.

Ballymoney RFC

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