Ballymena produced a statement performance on Saturday, securing a crucial 38-21 victory over newly crowned AIL Division 2A champions Instonians at Eaton Park. In front of the 180 guests who attended the final pre-match lunch of the season, Ballymena delivered a six-try display that keeps their fate in their own hands heading into the final round of fixtures.
First-Half Action
The hosts started brightly and opened the scoring after just five minutes when Rodger McBurney finished off a break down the left wing. Ballymena doubled their lead in the 13th minute as Pierce Crowe powered under the posts, following a sustained period of pressure in the Instonians 22. He converted his own score to put Ballymena 12-0 up.
Instonians, determined to showcase their champion credentials, responded in the 21st minute through David Whitten, reducing the deficit to 12-7. However, Ballymena continued their attacking momentum, and an incisive break from Ben Neely allowed McBurney to finish off a flowing move for his second try of the afternoon.
Instonians answered back swiftly in the 29th minute with a well-worked try, finished by winger Ellerby after a pinpoint cross-field kick. The teams went into the break with Ballymena narrowly leading 17-14.
Ballymena’s Second-Half Surge
Instonians struck first after halftime, scoring under the posts to take the lead for the first time at 21-17. However, Ballymena refused to let their heads drop and showed resilience that had been missing in tight encounters earlier in the season.
In the 55th minute, Ben Neely powered over for Ballymena’s bonus point try, converted by Callum Patterson, to restore the home side’s advantage at 24-21. The momentum remained with the Braidmen, and Callum Mustoe added a converted try under the posts in the 62nd minute to extend the lead to 31-21.
As Instonians pushed forward in search of a response, Ballymena’s defensive effort held firm, and the victory was sealed in the 70th minute when James McLean crashed over for their sixth and final try, making it 38-21 at full-time.
Post-Match Reaction
Captain Adam Lamont praised the team’s effort and preparation:
“It was pleasing to get all five points. As a team, we have been training really well and working hard to improve week by week. It was great to get over the line, especially against our Ulster rivals and division winners.”
Head coach John Nicholl expressed his pride in the young squad:
*”I am immensely proud of this young squad. We have missed out seven times this season in close games, taking losing bonus points, and I think this performance proves what this team has in their locker. I felt the set-piece was really strong, and the backline was on fire, scoring four of our six tries.
This result will give the boys confidence to kick on, not only for the rest of the season but into pre-season. We still have a really important game to win next week in Galway, but I am glad it is in our own hands and not Navan’s.”*
What’s Next?
With Navan suffering a defeat to Old Crescent, Ballymena leapfrogged them into eighth place. Their fate now lies in their own hands, with a final-day showdown against Galway Corinthians determining their status in Division 2A next season. Corinthians, fighting for the last promotion playoff spot, will be a formidable opponent, while Navan will take on Greystones in a similarly high-stakes encounter.
Ballymena’s destiny is now in their own hands—one more win will ensure their place in AIL 2A for another season.
Team:
Mustoe, Clarke, Mawhinney, J. Browne, Milford, P. Browne, McClean, Lamont, Weerarathne, Crowe, D. Millar, Patterson, Vercoe Rogers, Neely, McBurney
Subs – Mark, Taggart, Dobbin, Robson, Ritson
