Scoreline doesn't do Ballina justice after bright start in Cork
Ballina’s senior squad may have returned from Midleton pointless on Saturday night, but many aspects of the well-contested All Ireland League Division 2C encounter gives huge reason for optimism.
Ballina played some excellent rugby, led for long periods of the game and were only done out of, at the very least a losing bonus-point, in the closing moments of the game.
The Moysiders left Cork disappointed but far from dejected and the sense of determination was obvious.
The match was a roller-coaster from start to finish. The home side hit the front with an early penalty but Ballina, who had picked up their first win of the season the week before against Tullamore (26-18), hit back with a try courtesy of Darragh Whyte, converted by Cody Chilcott. The Moysiders were not found wanting for effort but the powerful home pack began to exert pressure which resulted in a yellow card for the guests.
The home side closed the gap to a point with a well-struck penalty but Ballina were in determined mood despite playing into the wind. They swept up field and after some excellent periods of play, Chilcott stretched the lead to 10-6 with a well-struck penalty.
That score inspired the guests and they drove forward looking for another score before the interval. Their dynamic approach was rewarded when Chilcott converted another penalty and the Mayo men were 13-6 clear at the change of ends.
There was a chance to extend the lead even further early in the new half but the score remained unchanged as Midleton began to grind their way forward. That approach was rewarded with a converted try to tie the scores and the game was there for the taking by either side.
Both teams looked for the lead and play bounced up and down the pitch but the Midleton pack were once again prominent and the home side were playing for field position – winning scrum penalties and then kicking for line-out possession.
They pounded the Ballina line but excellent defence won a relieving penalty and once again the game became open as possibilities abounded.
There was still nothing to separate the sides going into the last ten minutes. However, Midleton were attacking incessantly and despite ferocious and effective tackling, they eventually broke through for a converted try to take the scoreline to 20-13 with eight minutes left.
Once again, Ballina went up the pitch looking to draw or win the game but they were denied and a late try moved the home side out of reach at 25-13.
To add insult to injury another try arrived in injury-time to leave the scoreboard reading 30-13. That was rough justice on the men in green, given their monumental effort, but much of the display generated a huge sense of optimism.
A fine game between two highly-talented teams ended with Ballina’s U18 girls securing a well-deserved and hard-earned 36-14 win over Tuam Oughterard on Saturday.
Both sides left it all on the pitch and took on the opposition at every opportunity. Both sets of forwards looked to carry ball and that led to a very entertaining encounter.
Ballina hit the front when Emily Foley showed her undoubted class to get over the whitewash, but Tuam Oughterard hit back with a fine converted try to lead 7-5 at the break.
Ballina regrouped at half-time and when the match restarted, they employed their back division with great effect. That resulted in three tries within ten minutes of the restart finished off by Emma Tolan, Grace Kennedy and Foley. Leah Hopkins added two conversions and Ballina were away and clear, 24-7.
Tuam Oughterard refused to be dominated, but were kept out by superb defensive play led by team captain Etain Rowland and backed up by Zoe Fox, Ailish Quinn, Grainne Moran, Emily Foley, Emma Tolan, Emily Mescal to name a few.
Time after time the chasers came up the pitch, but great Ballina tackling overturned the ball and impressive full-back Ciara Golden raced forward before offloading to Grace Kennedy who streaked over for her second try of the day.
Another try from the flying Emma Tolan, converted by Hopkins, left the scoreboard reading 36-7 before the gallant Tuam Oughterard team got the reward they richly deserved with a converted try right at the climax of a superb game between two fine teams.
There were scenes of great delight on Friday night in Claremorris when Ballina’s U16 girls beat the very impressive home side on a 32-12 scoreline.
This was a great all-round team performance on a dirty wet night, with Ballina running in six tries. Kate Gallagher scored three, Evie Kennedy got over the whitewash twice before the final try by Kirsten Melvin Brown put the icing on the cake.
Grainne Martin kicked a conversion to give the Ballina girls a hard-earned road win.
Meanwhile, Ballina’s U14 girls squad travelled to Gort Monivea on Saturday and won an absolute thriller 47-39. The victory came as a result of some tremendous team play and the dedication of the players and their management group.
