Boys U16 beat Sligo RFC 12-31

It's not often we single out any specific team, but on this occasion we must! Our fine U16 team defeated Sligo on Sunday and have now gone 24 months unbeaten. Their last reversal occurred against Corinthians in November 2016. This is a wonderful run by the team and their mentors and everyone involved, deserves huge credit.

Another weekend another local derby!
This time Sligo were the opposition, and after last season's drubbing the home side were in no mood to roll over and play possum. Management knew this and the way the Moy boys walked off the bus, they knew it as well.
From the kick-off both sides went at it full tilt, but home advantage drove the Sligo lads on harder and they pushed the visitors back into their '22. A lineout was awarded and the big home pack set up strong for a maul off the catch but Ballina were wise to them and didn’t compete in the air and held the drive; pushed back the attack and slowly weathered the storm.
The boys in green drove and tackled and also attempted various channels of attack but the scores took some time to arrive.
Following a kick out of defence, Ciaran Boland gathered the ball and headed off down the park; beat a few defenders and offloaded to Mark Barrett who side stepped a few despairing tackles to touch down in the corner 0-5.
Renewed determination from the home side drove the visitors back again, but this time the Moy boys were ready, so the game played out on the half way line.
A massive tackle on the left wing by Seamus Mason turned the ball over and he was off like the wind. Mason found the supporting Sam Callinan who touched down under the sticks and when the try was converted by David Feeney the guests were 0-12 clear.
The home side were determined to get back into it and broke up field following an interception. Eventually the pressure paid off and they touched down out wide for a 5-12 half time score.
Following the break, Ballina drove upfield, applied pressure and quick hands moved the ball to Liam Golden who crashed over under the posts to stretch the lead to 5-17.
Desperate to stay in touch, the home side gathered themselves and pinned the visitors back in their '22 and following a series of ruck and mauls the line broke and Sligo got in for a converted try - 12-17
Buoyed by this success Sligo laid siege to the visitors' line. Time and again they drove close and each time they were repelled.
However, a yellow-card for one of the Ballina boys meant they were in severe trouble, but these guys haven't tasted defeat in 24 long months and their teamwork and character shone through when they were under pressure.
Driven on by their supporters the boys in green urged each other on and showed massive determination not to yield another score.
The ball was ripped back on the visitors side before a booming kick bounced kindly for Sam Callinan, who had sprinted from his own line and to the elation of the guests and the devastation of the hosts, he dotted down under the posts for a 12-24 lead.
From the kick-off, Ballina drove up field. They forced a knock-on and from the scrum, Fiachna Barrett picked from the base and scored in the corner to put the icing on the cake.
Next up for this fine team is the first home game of the season against Creggs.
Management were thrilled with the rugby played and the determination shown in defence in Sligo and look forward to the great adventures ahead.