Money Fourths progress to Cup semi final

Open and entertaining rugby was always going to be difficult on the day with the wet and windy conditions.

The first quarter of the game was a very even affair as both teams sized each other up and either sides defence stood firm.

The opening score of the game, came twenty five minutes into the first half and it was the visitors who took a deserved lead. Ards conceded a penalty after an infringement and Ryan Brace drilled the ball deep into the Ards 22’.

The catch and drive from the resulting lineout was clinically executed as Sam Bartlett crashed over for the try. Ryan Brace added the extras and kicked further penalty. This was final action of the first period and the half time score stood at 8 points to 0 in favour of the Ballymoney men.

The second half saw the visitors up the intensity of the match, smothering any challenge Ards tried to build.

Ards were held in their own half for long periods and the sustained pressure paid off for Ballymoney. Ryan Brace converting two penalty kicks and Jerome McAllister sealing the victory with another good try, again after some good play by the Ballymoney Pack.

The final score was Ards 0, Ballymoney 19 seiing ballymoney into the semi final of the McCambley Cup.

Captain John Waide commented after the match. “I was very pleased with that performance, all players in the squad played their part. Playing away to Ards was never going to be an easy challenge and reports had us as underdogs prior to the game. We stuck to our game plan and played some good rugby in deadful conditions.” The man of the match award goes to John Richmond as the powerful number 8 worked tirelessly throughout the game. The Fourths now prepare for next weekend’s league match, away to Carrickfergus.