Sligo 19 :: Ballina 3
Sligo passed their biggest test to date when they comprehensively defeated near neighbours Ballina in an entertaining Connacht Junior league North West derby at Strandhill on Saturday. The home side dominated in all departments and scored three tries without reply on their way to a well crafted victory.
In ideal conditions for open rugby Ballina won the toss and opted to play with the aid of the slight breeze. Paddy Pearson kicked off and immediately the Sligo pack signalled their intent as they drove into the heart of the Ballina defence. Flanker Simon Coulter was proving to be a nuisance at the breakdown and his forward colleagues followed suit in providing a good platform for their backline to work from.
The opening score came after 10 minutes. Following a scrum on the half way line scrum half Billy Leahy fed Pearson who wrong footed the visiting defence as he darted through the smallest of gaps. The outhalf raced to the 22 before trading passes with the pacey Jack Macklin. Pearson then linked up with Jordan Farrington and the centre outpaced the cover to dot down in the corner. Macklins conversion attempt drifted wide of the uprights. Ballina responded and used their kicking game to position themselves in the Sligo half. Pressure from their kick chase earned a penalty on the Sligo 10 metre line but outhalf Kieran Rouses effort fell short and the home team were allowed to clear.
Ballina continued to press and began to bring their backline into play. A lineout on the halfway line was quickly moved wide but the ever alert Farrington stepped inside and intercepted between the Ballina centres before sprinting clear and touching down under the crossbar. Macklin added the extras to give his team a twelve point lead.
Moments later Sligo had to reshuffle when scrum half Billy Leahy retired with a calf strain. Macklin moved to scrum half and Julian Rippon took his place on the left wing. The Mayo men again responded and worked their way into the Sligo half. An infringement at the ruck was penalised with 3 minutes remaining in the half and centre Stephen Mc Carron made no mistake with a fine kick to put the score at 12-3 in favour of the home team at the break.
Sligo began the second half in determined fashion and Pearson’s fine kicking saw them camped in the Ballina half. The Sligo scrum was well on top and the lineout was functioning well.
The third try arrived on 50 minutes when a fine cross kick from Pearson was gathered by Ballina’s full back Robert forbes. The full backs attempted clearance was half blocked by the onrushing Sligo winger Andrew Feeny. Second Row Jamie Bowes latched on to the loose ball and powered his way home to touch down to the right of the posts. Macklin added the conversion to put his side 19 points to 3 ahead.
Sligo went on the hunt for the elusive bonus point 4th try and looked to have made the breakthrough close to full time when a sweeping backline move put Andrew Feeney in to space but last ditch tackling by the Ballina defence prevented the score and Sligo had to made do with the 3 try win. Sligo now take a break until January 10th when they travel south to take on Monivea in a top of the table clash. The outcome of this match will go a long way to deciding the destination of this years title with both sides unbeaten so far in this years league.
Sligo : Niall O Hara, Andrew Feeney, Jordan Farrington, Gavin Foley, Jack Macklin, Paddy Pearson, Billy Leahy, Adrian Mc Hale, Gary Conneely, Jason East, James Wilson(capt), Jamie Bowes, Cathal Culhane, Simon Coulter, Peter Mullan. Replacements Ross Mannion for Mc Hale, Trevor Sweeney for Bowes, Julian Rippon for Leahy
Ballina: Robert Forbes, Michael Clarke, Stephen Mc Carron, David Newman, Tyrone De Silva, Kieran Rouse, Michael Murphy, Paul Newell,R ichard Kelly, Tom Tolan, James Cawley, Dan Carrabine, Conor Forde, Shane Loftus, Aidan Mc Nulty. Replacements Ciaran Melvin, Paul Neary, Cormac Quinn.
Photos from the post match reception can be found here.
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