Corinthians gained two valuable points as they shared their spoils against high flying Ballymena. The northerners traveled with high expectations as they have been on a roll these last few weeks taking some fine scalps in div 1B. The Galway side traveled to Eaton Park last September which was the first fixture of the season in Division 1b and came away with naught. Last Saturday was a different kettle of fish. The visitors won the toss and opted to play with the elements so as to put up a big score in the first half and utilise their heavier pack to contain the Cloonacauneen outfit in the second half. The home side started nervous enough as they endeavored to contain the visitors. The Ballymena outfit attacked from the off and were nearly in for an early touchdown but they were pulled by IRFU referee Eddie Hogan O’ Connell for crossing as they headed for the Corinthian try line. The home side were pulled for the same offense some minutes later. Outhalf Richard McMaster had no problem in converting the ensuing penalty from in front of the posts giving themselves an early lead. From the kick off Corinthians were caught out by the whirling wind as they tried to go forward but knocked on the oval ball on the half way line. From the resulting play Ballymena number eight Stephen Mulholland picked the ball from the base of the scrum. The lock whipped the ball out to the lively scrumhalf Dave Shanahan. The number nine made some ground and set up his right winger Jordan Foster to side step the home cover as he skated in from the halfway line to touch down out wide The alarm bells were ringing as the excellent home support were in shock and saying oh no not again. Thankfully McMaster was wide with the convert. The number ten had another opportunity some minutes later as the home side back row were penalized for loitering but it was again wide off the mark. The Corinthian pack upped their game after this let off as their scrummage improved. With twenty minutes left on the clock before half time captain Joey Merrigan urged on his pack as his loose head Mark Byrne and second row Colin Raftery drove forward at every opportunity. The visitors started to panic and fumbled the ball on a few occasions as the home scrum half Philip Maher spoiled and made a nuisance of himself. But alas the Eaton Park boys got a break as the oval ball squirted into the Ballymena pack from a Corinthian put in. Scrum half Dave Shanahan was wide awake whipping the ball out to second center Rickey Andrew. The center had a bit off work to do as he scrambled towards the try line and out of nowhere his lock Conor Smith gathered and got in for excellent touchdown. The convert was wide off the mark. There was still some minutes remaining in the half but Corinthians held out to go in at the break thirteen points to nil down.
The Corinthian outfit started slowly enough in the second half as Ballymena held their shape but after ten minutes of play the visitors were penalized for foul play after an excellent break by Corinthians outside center Dwayne Corcoran. Outhalf Conor Murphy converted the penalty from the twenty two metre line. With the elements assisting the home team they kept the pressure on as Corcoran gathered an excellent ball from loose play. With a bit of work to do he skipped in for a mighty touchdown. Murphy added the extras to leave the home in arrears by three points. Ballymena decided to keep the game tight at this stage with their slender three point lead. The northerners made ground on a few occasions but it all came to naught. The home side kept slogging away trying to get over the gain line. They kept the pressure on assisted by a shower of rain coming down from Ballybrit. With time running out the the Antrim boys were pulled for killing the ball on their own twenty two. Murphy stepped up to the plate and slotted the penalty from out wide, a mighty effort. The referee called time at this stage leaving the score line at thirteen points apiece. An excellent result for the home side claiming two vital points. Head coach Pat Cunningham and his comrade Sean Duignan should be mighty pleased with the result as they head into the Christmas break. There next game is away to Malone on January 3rd in Belfast. Kick off 2.30 pm. Venue Gibson Park Avenue.
Corinthian Team: D Classen,D McDermott,D Corcoran.D Panter.C Ryan.C Murphy.P Maher.M Byrne.J Merrigan(capt).C Hansbury.C Raftery.G Warde.R Shanley.M Kelly.E Masterson.Replacements: A Glynn.A Bane.D Phelan.M Murphy.P Griffen.
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