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Coleraine lose out at Ballymena

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Coleraine’s Tommy Van Wky attempts to take the game to Ballymena during the teams’ Towns Cup clash at Eaton Park on Saturday

Ballymena 2nd XV.................................18
Coleraine 1st XV.....................................6
COLERAINE lost out to Ballymena 2nd XV in the Towns Cup on Saturday. Having made the journey to Eaton Park and a third encounter with the Ballymena side this season, Coleraine had their opportunities but failed to capitalise on them.
It was a hard fought encounter and at the break Ballymena held only a 7-3 advantage. The Bannsiders were still in the hunt to the end but a final minute try for the home side sealed the result.
There was some good news after the match as Stuart Simpson was released from hospital, seemingly not much the worse for his experience, having been stretchered from the pitch with a suspected neck injury. He was knocked out in a tackle in the later stages of the game.
Speaking after the match, coach Richard Kernohan was disappointed at the result but already focused on this week's game in Galway.
He said: "It was disappointing to lose out today. We had some good opportunities but just could not get through the Ballymena defence.
“We had some good moments and now we will be looking closely at our strategy for next week's game.
“We will move on to the All Ireland Junior Cup match in Monivea on Saturday and we will be focussed on a strong performance and a place in the final. Monivea are topping their own league and they will be a tough nut to crack but we have the motivation and squad to do just that."
In the Ballymena game the first points came to Coleraine. With ten minutes gone Ballymena yielded a penalty in the face of a fierce Coleraine attack. Greg Jordan was on target from the 22 and claimed three points.
With 17 minutes on the clock Ballymena took full advantage of a quick penalty in the Coleraine 22 to create an overlap and send Michael Smyth over the line. David O'Hara converted.
Just short of the half-time whistle Jordan had another penalty opportunity but the ball drifted just wide. Coleraine had most of the first half play but were unable to clinch any further points.
Ballymena made a spirited start to the second half and only a foot in touch prevented a score within two minutes. The continued pressure saw O'Hara claim three more points from another penalty.
With 17 minutes gone Steven Dickey and Alan Stirling forged towards the Ballymena line and following a penalty award Jordan was on target from 20 metres, bringing the score to 10-6.
Five minutes later Ballymena's O'Hara scored from another penalty on the half-way line leaving a seven point advantage.
Coleraine hooker David Ferguson suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Stephen Jefferson and then Stuart Simpson was knocked out in a tackle. As a precaution he was removed to hospital and has thankfully recovered.

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