Ballymena under-19s Bowl-ed over by final success

In what was to prove a thrilling match the boys did the Club credit bringing home the first silverware of the season for the Youth section.

From the out set the 19s took the game to Ballymoney. With captain Bamber in fine form the boys drove deep into their opponents half A fine move from Jonny Mulholland, the man of the match, saw the ball move the impressive McBurney, whose strong run saw him hand off two defenders before crossing for the first try of the game.

Rainey then stepped up to hit a superb conversion from the side line and the boys were on their way.

The 19s followed on in the same vein with Johnston and McLaughlin combining to release McBurney. Another fine run saw him shrug off several defenders before passing to Curtis Bowes who beat another defender before touching down under the posts. Rainey hit the second of his four conversions and Ballymena were in control.

However a harsh yellow card for a late tackle saw Ballymoney make the most of the extra man and they brought the deficit back to one try when they touched down under the posts.

The 19s were stung by this and hit back almost immediately. With 15 men back on the pitch the boys through McIlwaine and McCooke took the ball into their opponents’ ‘22’. A nice move saw the ball transferred to Millar who took his opportunity to cross for a deserved score.

With the Braid boys dominating in the loose through Lindsay it was only a matter of time before Rainey sprinted clear to score in the corner.

The 19s were however again pegged back when Ballymoney scored a breakaway try just before the interval.

The second half saw a strengthening wind at Ballymoney’s back and they took full advantage. Only some excellent covering from full back O’Connor stopped Ballymoney getting an early score.

However with the boys being peppered by high kicks it was only a matter of time before a knock on gave their opponents a scrum in the ‘22’ and they drove over to close the gap.

Ballymoney now had more confidence and despite some great cover tackling from Currie and McKay they ran clear to score again.

The 19s now realised it was critical that they put the next score on the board. Kieran Bowes hit a superb tackle in the middle of the pitch and the loose ball was scooped up by Jason Mulholland. His pass released Fleming who side stepped several defenders before touching down in the corner. A nervous last five minutes saw the 19s again pinned back in their own half. However solid defence saw them hold out until the referee blew his whistle and the celebrations could begin.

With many of the boys playing in their last game of youth rugby, it was fitting that they lifted a trophy after such a great season.

Several injured players, Appleton, Lowry and Hyndeman were also called up to receive well deserved medals. In a great season for Ballymena youth this is the first of three possible trophies with the 13s and the 17s in the Plate and Cup finals.