The final youth game of the season took place last Saturday at Ballyclare RFC with the Under U19 League final being contested between Ballynahinch and Ballyclare
Ballynahinch made the first tentative attack but never made it into the Ballyclare 22. The game was played mainly in Ballyclare's half, but a strong defensive line across the 22 kept Ballynahinch at bay. Just outside the 22 Ballynahinch were awarded a penalty and Johnny Clements made good. Two minutes later, Ballyclare had a chance of a penalty but the kick went wide.
Ten minutes into the game, neither side had entered the other's 22. This was shortly to change with an initial break by Ballyclare's Alan Ervin. It continued with Christopher Gillen who was bundled over to score. Christopher converted his own try to give Ballyclare 7 - 3 lead.
Again the game resumed in the centre of the pitch. With the first half nearing an end, Ballynahinch kicked clear as Johnny Clements chased and kneed the ball up and towards the Ballyclare goal area. He won the race for the ball and touched down. The conversion went just wide of the post, leaving the half time score Ballynahinch 8-7 Ballyclare.
Ballyclare applied pressure from the restart, and within two minutes, a penalty opportunity arose, however, they were unable to score. A further 10 minutes passed with neither side looking like scoring. Ballyclare were camped in the Ballynahinch 22, and eventually the pack trundled over for an unconverted try, bringing the score back to Ballyclare 12 - 8.
Progress was slow as players got tired and stoppage for injuries increased. Ballynahinch were the first to react after this spell with a break down the left wing. A kick and chase resulted in the referee awarding a penalty try which was duly converted by Johnny Clements to bring the score to 15 -12 to Ballynahinch.
This was followed up with a try by Johnny Murdock, which was again converted by Johnny Clements. The score was now 22 -12 to 'Hinch.
The final 5 minutes of the game saw Ballyclare threw everything they had left, numerous times they looked like scoring only to be denied time and again. For Ballynahinch it had been a long season and those last 5 minutes made it even longer. But they held out to win 22 - 12.
Thanks to the referee Kevin Barlett and Touch Judges James Linford and Robert Abrahams.
