City team too strong for ‘Toon
Thursday, 30 October 2008
City of Derry...............................56
Ballymoney...................................9
BALLYMONEY suffered a heavy 56-9 defeat away to City of Derry in the Kukri Qualifying Section One League on Friday night, but club captain David Calvin believes his side competed better than in any other game this season.
With Ballymoney having to make enforced changes due to the late withdrawals of Jimmy Carson and Kevin Williams and with Martin Irwin and Coach Taggart still on the sidelines, the men from the Toon knew they were in for a tough evening.
Ballymoney kicked off in good playing conditions and City of Derry immediately took he game to the visitors. From their first phase of play, weak tackling allowed their backs to cut through the Ballymoney line for an easily converted score.
Ballymoney, to their credit, got back into the game applying pressure and were awarded a penalty, converted by Clelland to take the score to seven points to three.
City of Derry again went on the offensive and used their much bigger pack to breach the Ballymoney defensive line. It wasn't long until they scored again to take the score to 12 - 3.
Ballymoney again took the game to the hosts and were awarded another penalty, which was converted by Clelland leaving the score now 12 - 6. But, from the restart City of Derry scored again to take the score to 17 - 6. Ballymoney then converted another penalty and Clelland was unlucky not to convert two others as the score stayed at 17 - 9.
Prop David Linton was carried off the field after a head collision as City of Derry scored their fourth try and secured their bonus point prior to half time to take the score to 22 - 9.
Ballymoney were forced into further changes when David Calvin was had to leave the field with an ankle injury meaning Marc Ferris had to move to centre as James Bellingham came on.
With Ballymoney having to rearrange themselves, City of Derry backs and forwards worked well against a tiring Ballymoney side to run in a further six tries to take the final score to 56 points to nine to city side.
Club captain David Calvin commented: "We came up against a good side who were very clinical and took almost every opportunity they created. We played well in the first half and competed better than we have in any other match this season.
“We have a few more injuries that need to be assessed this week in preparation for Cooke away.
“Although we got beat by a big margin we still competed well which is something we have been looking for that hasn't been there in previous matches.
“We would like to thank all our large travelling support that came to the match I know the boys appreciated it a lot."
