27/11/21
Ballymena 2XV 46 – 29 Limavady 1st XV
Ballymena 2nd XV continued their impressive run of form against Conference League leaders, Limavady, with a comfortable 46-29 victory at Eaton Park on Saturday.
After kicking off Ballymena kept early pressure on Limavady deep in their half. An early penalty chance was pulled slightly wide. From the resulting kick off Ballymena scored via Paddy James which was duly converted by Finlay Walker.
A handful of minutes later Stuart Donald broke through the Limavady defences and touched down making the score 12-0.
A very efficient first 10 minutes…
Limavady though managed to get more of a grasp on the game and came back into the remainder of the first half. They scored twice, coming back onto level terms at 12 all.
Ballymena took the lead again with a penalty from Walker, making it 15-12 at half time.
The first 30 minutes of the second half where generally dominated by Ballymena who managed to find another gear.
Ryan Mattison was the catalyst here after finishing an excellent individual score from inside his own half. Walker converted to make the score line 22-12.
A penalty try was given by the ref after more impressive open play from Ballymena. 29-12.
Further ball retention and phase play allowed Peter Munce, Darrell Montgomery and Alan Smyth to add three further tries to Ballymena’s tally, with Eoin Ritson converting one.
Limavady got a couple of consolation scores in the last ten minutes making the final score 46-29.
This was another very positive outing from this young Ballymena side. The boys are very much looking forward to next week’s Junior Cup fixture against Armagh 2nd XV. This will be another step up in level but there is more than enough ability in this squad to continue their impressive run of form.
