Ballymena under-17s come up just short in Ravenhill final

After a breakfast at Montgomery’s Restaurant, the boys boarded the bus on the way to compete for the Ulster Under 17 Cup.

The conditions on the day were poor and in the first half the boys had to endure driving rain whilst playing into a strong wind.

Dromore took full advantage of the conditions repeatedly kicking the ball deep into the 17s’ half.

Full back Bell had to work hard to return the kicks and some excellent tackling from Logan and Rock kept Dromore at bay.

Dromore continued to press and again it was solid defending from Jennings and McKillan which prevented them from scoring.

However 20 minutes of defending eventually took its toll and their opponents opened the score with a try under the posts.

The next ten minutes proved to be the 17s undoing. Just before half time Dromore scored a breakaway try and added to their lead in the first minutes of the second half.

However some straight talking from the coaches appeared to spur the Braid boys into action and a strong run from Mills saw the ball moved deep into the Dromore half. Hunter went on a surging run and was stopped just short of the line.

However Dromore were off-side and from the penalty tapped and darted across the line for the first score.

The boys were now in the game and Millar sprinted forward from a McNeill pass to release the impressive Mattison. His pass released George who raced across the line for the second try.

Ballymena were now in full control and the introduction of Jonny and Simon Crooks added to the attacking threat. Thompson was now making huge in roads into the Dromore half and only a last ditch tackle prevented him from scoring.

Cheered on by substitutes Getty, McLeister, Adams and McIntyre the boys worked tirelessly and a fine move saw Glikinson go close after a strong run from Stewart. The pressure again told when Mackness chipped through before he could touch down he was impeded and the referee awarded a penalty try.

The boys were now only 2 points behind despite trailing 22 – 0 some 20 minutes earlier. However a glance at the clock showed time had defeated them and Dromore played out the last minute to take the victory by 22 points to 19.

However coach Matthew Banks said: “The boys were tremendous in the second half and with another five minutes they would certainly have taken the victory.”

Tom Wiggins added: “The boys have had a fantastic season and irrespective of this result they are a credit to the club and it has been our privilege to coach the lads for the past three seasons.”

The boys only consolation was that they were the last ever team to change in the Ulster Home dressing room before the ‘old stand’ is demolished next week.