Cashel preserve their unbeaten run in All-Ireland Rugby League with thrilling win over Ballymena

Cashel 29 Ballymena 24

On Saturday last at Spafield, Cashel put their three game unbeaten All-Ireland Rugby League run on the line against Ballymena, who had only managed to secure one point from their three games.

At the end of a rip roaring contest, Cashel scored a try deep in injury time to take all five points on offer. Ballymena went away with two points, which they richly deserved as they were within seconds of winning all five.

The game was played in perfect conditions. For various reasons Cashel were without a number of regulars. James Ryan came out of retirement to help the cause and used all of his vast experience to turn in a masterful display of back row play at number eight. It was also a special day for Tom Tobin, who ended the day with a hat-trick of tries.

From the kick off Cashel attacked, with Brendan Crosse making a break. He offloaded to Richard Moran who drove to the Ballymena line. The forwards went through the phases and when the ball was whipped through the hands to Tom Tobin he dotted down in the corner to put Cashel 5 points ahead. It was a dream start.

The Cashel dominance did not last long, as Ballymena powered back five minutes later. A clever cross kick was caught by the winger, who dived over in the corner for a converted try. This inspired the visitors, who piled on the pressure and kept Cashel pinned back on their own line.

Cashel were under severe pressure for the remainder of the half, as the penalty count went horribly against them. Three yellow cards were dished out to Cashel players in a twenty- minute period for high tackles.

With Cashel down to thirteen men, Ballymena used their numerical advantage to score in the corner. They now led by 12 points to 5. Cashel defended manfully and as one player came on another went off with the third yellow. They launched an attack deep into the Ballymena territory but the move ended with a knock-on.

Ballymena led by 12 points to 5 at half-time and it reflected well on the Cashel defence that they kept that lead to seven points, considering their numerical disadvantage.

I have no doubt that the half time team talk laid it on the line for the Cashel players as a repeat performance in the second half would not be good enough to win the game. The players responded and were quickly off the mark. Jamie Ryan made a number of probing runs. It took them three minutes to level the game. A sweeping move got the ball to Tom Tobin and he charged over in the corner. Ben Twomey converted with a wonderful kick.

On 48 minutes Ben Twomey edged Cashel ahead with a penalty close to the halfway line. Five minutes later Jamie Ryan beat a number of tackles to weave his way over with a thirty-metre run. He is a very talented centre with a wonderful ability to beat tackles and find a gap in the opposition defence. Ben Twomey converted and Cashel led by 22 points to 12.

It took Ballymena three minutes to close the gap. They worked hard to get field position inside the Cashel twenty two. Another penalty was taken quickly and Ballymena narrowed the gap to three points. The game was very much in the balance, and the high number of penalties conceded by both sides were creating opportunities. Mistakes were going to be punished.

A Ballymena player was yellow-carded with ten minutes to go, only to be followed by another Cashel player. Cashel lost a number of lineouts in a row and Ballymena capitalised by gaining valuable yards until they were awarded a penalty, which they kicked to the Cashel five metre line. They breached the Cashel line to score their fourth try and take the lead by two points.

There was very little time left but Cashel battled on. Jamie Ryan was almost over but was caught on the line. Deep in injury time Ben Twomey put through a grubber kick, which was carried over the try line by a Ballymena player. This gave Cashel a five metre scrum, which they won. The ball was flashed to the backs. Tom Tobin came off his wing to crash through two tackles and score under the posts. Ben Twomey converted with the last kick of the game and Cashel had won by 29 points to 24.

It was a great escape, and will certainly concentrate the minds of the Cashel players as they head to Greystones this Saturday to take on the local team, who had an impressive win over MU Barnhall on Saturday last.

Cashel now have full points from four games. Ballymena were extremely disappointed to lose the game but will be encouraged by a very brave performance.

Cashel (1-20): C O’Donnell, D Upton, B Ryan, B Crosse, A Shirley, A Harold Barry, R Moran, J Ryan, J Pickering, T Townsend, T Tobin, A Flannery, J Ryan, B Twomey, R O’Sullivan, P Ryan, S O’Connell, D Rowe, M Frati, M Strydom.

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