Ballina RFC U15 boys played Carrick on Shannon away, Sunday 6th November

Ballina RFC under 15s boys played their first away match of the league against Carrick on Shannon on Sunday 6th November on a sunny winters day. It has been a difficult start to the league season for the boys under 15 team who have suffered a number of injuries early on which have decimated the team. As a result it has been difficult to get a consistent team run at each match. The team have trained well and put superb effort into their rugby but without success in the league until today.
The match against Carrick was an exciting display of youth rugby on a fantastic pitch in Co. Leitrim. Conditions were excellent underfoot and the match did not disappoint. There was a great crowd too.
Early on in the first half, Carrick gained the advantage and kicked a penalty cleanly to go 3 up. But not long after there was a great backs move by Ballina off the forward pack to release centre Jason O'Brien who powered down the left hand side and in for a try. This was not converted but there was a strong breeze which would make kicking difficult for the outhalves. The sides were evenly matched throughout with the Carrick scrum being exceptionally strong winning against the head on a few occasions. Both sides showed great running skills and tackling. The Carrick out half kicked down the line superbly on a number of occasions from penalty's given away by Ballina to put Carrick in strong positions on the pitch. They attacked well but Ballina showed great effort in holding up a maul near the Ballina line to prevent a try. Carrick's pressure proved too much for Ballina and with some strong runs they scored under the posts by one of their strong forwards and converted the try. Ballina then gave away too many penalties resulting in conceding one to Carrick. A further attack by Carrick led to another try for them. It was looking ominous for Ballina. T|he Carrick out half stepped up to convert the try but centre Niall Feeney showed great skill in charging down the conversion which would prove important later in the match. It was eighteen, five to Carrick mid second half. In past matches Ballina at this point sometimes drop their heads but not this time. From the restart Ballina fought back and pressured Carrick consistently, with a fine team try by Fergal Keane forcing himself over the line and ensuring the ball was touched down under the posts in a heap of players from both sides. Oisin Flynn converted this. It was game on, 18 to 12. The intensity levels in the Ballina team picked up noticeably, now they had the belief. This intensity and belief showed as the team attacked again with Niall Feeney scoring a try which was importantly converted by Oisin Flynn to put Ballina ahead by one point. It was near the end but Ballina kept fighting for the win. Carrick got a scrum in Ballina's half but the Ballina forwards and backs showed their commitment and managed to overturn the next phase with Sean Walkin making a New Zealand 'Savea'-like run down the left hand touch line nearly scoring a try were it not for a last ditch tackle by a Carrick player putting him in touch at the flag. Finally, the whistle to end the match. Ballina won superbly in a tight match to get their first win in the league. Both teams and coaches must be commended for a game played in great spirit. Ballina can now build on this and look forward to the next match in the league having shown their mental toughness to come back and charge down a win.