Hosts Ballina and visitors Tuam served up a heartwarming and feet warming U18.5 try-fest on a bitterly cold Sunday lunch time, with the home side stretching away to record a deserved victory against dogged opposition.

The first half was a close affair, with Ballina setting out their stall early with two outstanding individual tries from Tom Ruane and Conor Murphy, who both scored hat tricks to continue their excellent form. Tuam, who were very mobile in attack, responded to this early setback and posted a converted try to leave a five-point gap in favour of the home side after a hectic opening 12 minutes.

A converted penalty from midfield for the visitors reduced the lead to two points, but a maiden try from Dean Chapman, with Tom Ruane adding the conversion, established a nine-point advantage for the home side.

Tom Ruane returned to centre stage on 26 minutes to add a fine try and conversion to extend the Mayo men’s advantage. However, Tuam were not a beaten docket and posted a converted try to reduce arrears. Again, the home side responded with Conor Murphy getting his second of the afternoon to leave the home side ahead 31-17 after an excellent half of rugby.

Reinvigorated by the half time team talk and Jaffa cakes, the home side returned to the task at hand and an excellent crossfield kick was fielded by Adam Naughton, starting his first game in a few seasons as he returned to the rugby fold, with a lovely try in the corner. Tom Ruane landed a penalty from just inside the Tuam half to further extend the lead.

Again, Tuam showed their attacking prowess with a well-worked converted try, having turned over the kick off possession from the home side to leave 15 between the teams 39-24.

The home side finished the game strongly and well-worked tries from Tom Ruane, captain Cian Fitzpatrick and Conor Murphy rounded off the feast of tries and gave the home side a well-deserved victory.

In addition to all the excellent attacking play one of the standout takeaways from today was the excellent tackling from the Moysiders that thwarted the visitors in their most dangerous facet of their game. The Ballina boys stood up manfully throughout as the visitors pressed and probed the defence and the defensive display with well-executed tackling was the foundation for today’s win.

Well done to both sides on a great game for the watching spectators, and both players and spectators enjoyed the delicious and warming after match hospitality in the Clubhouse . We sincerely thank our hospitality sponsor, who wishes to remain anonymous for their support.

The team and management now look forward to next Sunday’s away trip to Ballinrobe.