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Bonus point derby win for Toon

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Ballymoney stopped Limavady from scoring as they ran in their own four tries for a bonus point win away from home on Saturday.

Limavady 1st XV.....................0
Ballymoney 1st XV.................26

BALLYMONEY 1st XV came back from Limavady with a solid bonus point win in Saturday's derby league game to keep a push on the Kukri Qualifying League Section One leaders.
The visitors were without Ryan Clyde and Jonathan McLaughlin which meant Nigel Nevin returned to the side on the wing and Chris Watson moved to centre.
Limavady were let off the hook early on following three missed Ballymoney penalty opportunities in the opening 10 minutes and as the home side's penalty count continued to grow and Ballymoney opted for the kick to the corner.
The catch and drive from just inside the 22 rolled towards the Limavady line and although David Campbell got the ball down the referee was unsighted due the pile up of players. Again, the ball was held up but from a resulting scrum, which Ballymoney was dominating, the ball again was moved wide and after a number of pick and drives from the forwards, hooker Irvine's quick pick at the back of ruck on the line saw him touch down for the first try. Ewan Strang missed the conversion but Ballymoney had a 5-0 lead with 20 minutes played.
Ballymoney continued to control the game and another break in midfield by second row Hanna took the ball back into the opponents 22. However a handling error resulted in play breaking down. Henderson at outhalf was starting to probe the Limavady line and catch the defence on the hop. A break that he started in the half saw him link with fullback McCartney. McCartney drew his man and passed to winger Strang who raced down the touch line. The Limavady fullback made a good cover tackle but Strang showed his strength as he was able to off load the ball to the supporting Ben Henderson and the young outhalf touched down below the posts for the second try. This time the conversion was successful and Ballymoney now lead 12 - 0 going into half time.

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