Ballymoney 4s travelled to Limavady 3s for the penultimate game in the league. Ballymoney started well with a dominant pack who soon took the lead with driving maul from a lineout saw Sam Bartlett score. 5-0 with conversion missed.

The game was competitive but Ballymoney took their chances and a good defence saw them nullify any Limavady opportunities. Ballymoney played smart and a 50-22 by Brace saw Ballymoney camped on Limavady red zone where the pack proved too strong and Bleakly crashed over; conversion by Brace took the lead 12-0. Limavady managed good passages of play and penalties by Ballymoney saw K McAuley take a yellow card, handing Limavady a lifeline to get in the score board, but they couldn’t manage the critical phases to score. Ballymoney eventually cleared their line through Cleland and Ballymoney continued in full flow from midfield. It wasn’t long before Cleland broke through to score out wide but conditions were against Brace who failed to convert. 17-0.

The game was heated but Ballymoney, back to full strength and good quick recycled ball went through then backs to set Chris Clarke off to score in the corner. 22-0 which closed out the first half of the game.

The second half counted and a regather by Bleakly saw Ballymoney get an early front foot; the pressure was mounting on Limavady and a quick ball to Carruthers saw the centre make stride into the 22 where he offloaded to Cleland to score his second of the day. The lead now extended to 27-0 with conversion missed by McAuley.

Ballymoney were having to defend for long periods and the evergreen Hanna was feeling the pressure which led to an uncharacteristically high tackle by Hanna who had 10mins rest and Ballymoney back down to 14 men. This didn’t dampen the Ballymoney spirit and it wasn’t long before Adam gave a cynical penalty in front of the posts and Brace extended the lead to 32-0. Ballymoney controlled the game until they were back to full quota but they lost stalwart Sam McAuley through injury. Fresh legs from the bench rejuvenated Ballymoney to push on and it wasn’t long before Sam McCracken got a well-deserved try out wide to extended the lead to 37-0. The game was closing to an end and Limavady were being pulled from side to side and quick ball through the hands from Brace to Carruthers saw him break down the blind side with winger in toe who he offloaded to in the tackle, and supported to ensure Caleb score out wide for the final try of the day. The game ended 42-0 and another good performance as Ballymoney push to win the league in a decider next week with Randalstown.

Ballymoney RFC

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