Ballymena youth shine in the sun

BALLYMENA Youth teams made the most of the good weather at the weekend posting several excellent results at Eaton Park.

The Under 19s played local rivals Larne and got of to a very poor start. With the game only minutes old they were awarded a scrum in the Larne '22'.

However an infringement saw Larne awarded a quick penalty. Larne took a quick tap and their fullback raced the length of the field and off loaded to the centre who scored under the posts.

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This was the story of the half with the 19s being unable to capitalise on their possession. Larne on the other hand took every chance offered and at half time the score was 21–0 to the visitors.

However following some straight talking at half-time the boys came out with a different attitude. The Braid boys' response was first class with Hayes and Robinson taking the ball forward and off loading to prop Smith who crossed for an excellent try under the posts. Wiggins converted and the 19s now were back in the game.

From the restart Larne hit back and a harsh penalty saw the score extended to 24-7 in their favour. However the Ballymena boys refused to back down and a lineout in the Larne '22' saw a great catch by Knox. The boys' training then came into play and an excellent maul saw Ballymena surge over the Larne line where second row McKeown gratefully crashed over for his first try of the season. The boys now had the bit between their teeth and some excellent interplay between Reid and Scullion saw centre Mulholland sprint clear to score in the corner.

The Larne boys were now on the ropes however the referee informed the teams that there was only two minutes remaining. The Braid boys made one final push up the field.

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Some ferocious rucking saw the ball deep in Larne’s '22' where Adam Smith gratefully lifted and crashed over in the corner. This was an exceptional second half display which saw the boys deservedly draw the game 24-24.

Earlier in the day the Under 13s had taken on Lurgan and again showed the progress they are making by dominating their opponents from the outset.

Following some good work by Toye in the loose the ball was released to McNeill who outran the Lurgan defence to score in the corner.

The 13s continued to pressure their opponents and a flowing move saw scrum half Smyth release Fullerton who crashed over for the second score of the game.

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Another phase of play saw quick ball being presented to the backs and full-back Mackness released Meehan for a score under the posts.

The second half followed in the same vein with the boys just proving too strong for a dis-spirited Lurgan team. Further scores from Jennings, Kerr and Miskelly took the game beyond the visitors with the 13s eventually running out winners by 43–0.

This was a first class display with several boys playing in only their third competitive match. The strength and progress of the 13s holds out hope for a bright future for the Youth Section at Ballymena.

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