Last-day sweat for Braidmen in AIL

Last week's report predicted exactly how difficult a match it would be against a Dungannon side fighting for their own survival.

Sadly, Ballymena failed to produce anywhere near the level of performance necessary to win a game of such importance and losing this game has now dragged them into a relegation battle which everybody at the club thought was not possible.

Now it appears that Ballymena will have to beat Ballynahinch in their final game of the season if they are to avoid the prospect of relegation to the AIB AIL second division.

As with last week's Ulster League defeat by Queen's, when the students fielded many "young, fast and direct runners" Dungannon had the same calibre of players and Ballymena had learnt nothing from last week and they were torn apart by the same type of players they had faced one week earlier.

Ballymena started the first half playing with quite a strong wind but were not able or unwilling, by choice, to take advantage of this. Dungannon posted early warning signs that they had quick, capable backs and they were willing to run if given the chance.

Ballymena were taking the game to Dungannon in the early stages but the best they could produce was an eighth minute penalty which Davy O'Hara put over to give the home side a deserved lead.

The game went from end to end but the most comfortable side with the ball was the visitors. When they decided to unleash their backs Ballymena were very uncomfortable.

Ballymena were on the attack in the 30th minute and enjoying a rare period of ascendancy when a careless pass from a home player was intercepted and Paul Magee, the visitors' centre, raced away to score under the posts and James Shields added the conversion. Ballymena were fortunate to hang on until half-time with the score at seven points to three for Dungannon.

Ballymena came out at the start of the second half and really attacked Dungannon , pushing them back into their own 22. Eventually after three minutes they pushed their pack back to score a try but unfortunately the conversion was missed. Eight points to seven for Ballymena.

Just after the hour, play was in the Ballymena 22. From a line-out Dungannon were awarded a free. Somebody in the Ballymena team argued and threw the ball away. Penalty to Dungannon but the chance was missed. However a couple of minutes later James Shields got a chance with a drop goal and was successful to regain the lead at 10 points to 8.

However a few minutes later came a telling blow to the home side. Ballymena had possession but lost the ball. Dungannon kicked deep into the Ballymena 22 and they followed up quickly to get possession. Good Ballymena cover seemed to retrieve the situation but international referee Alain Rolland failed to spot what appeared to be a clear knock-on and awarded a try to the visitors to put them seven points ahead.

Ballymena really took the game to Dungannon and after a good spell of pressure in the visitors' 22 Ballymena were awarded a penalty try and O’Hara converted to make the score 15 points all.

With time running out Dungannon went on the offensive and although the home side had ample opportunity to clear their lines they failed to do so. It was obvious that Shields was loitering for a dropped goal and Ballymena were unable to prevent this.

With time running out Dungannon stole the ball again and ran away for a try under the posts and the conversion made the final score 25 points to 15.

Ballymena’s future in the AIB AIL Division 1 next season is now subject to a lot of conjecture. Their last match is away to Ballynahinch and that has got to be a victory to ensure their continued presence in the Division 1B next season.

Ballymena: R McBurney; T Seymour, K Moore, I Whitten, P Budina; L Marshall, D O’Hara (G Fisher 70); J Carson (A Ferguson 60), J Taggart (R Fisher 50), S Shawe, D O’Kane, B Young, A Kerr (C Smyth 70), W McKay (R Hackney 50), S McKinney.

TABLE

PWDLBPPts

Old Belvedere131012951

Young Munster131111248

UCC13706533

Galwegians13607529

Ballymena13508424

Buccaneers13508323

Dungannon13409622

Ballynahinch133010719

Remaining matches to be played on Saturday, April 10: Ballynahinch v Ballymena; Buccaneers v Young Munster; Dungannon v Galwegians.

If Ballymena beat Ballynahinch they will be safe from relegation. If Ballynahinch beat Ballymena with a bonus point and Ballymena don’t get a bonus point then both sides will be on 24 points. Then the other match results will determine the relegation places.

SECONDS

This Wednesday evening, March 31, Ballymena Seconds are playing Harlequins Seconds at Eaton Park in a double header.

Come along and see what the second team has to offer in what is likely to be their last match of the season.