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Dungannon set to offer a real challenge for Ballymena team

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Ballymena will face Ulster opposition again this weekend in the All Ireland League when Dungannon are the visitors to Eaton Park.
Following a narrow 6-3 win over Ballynahinch and then last Friday's 0-9 reversal at Belfast Harlequins, Saturday's clash has all the makings of another hard-fought contest.
While Ballymena did not perform well under the lights at a wet and windy Deramore Park they know that they can play much better and that they will have to against a Dungannon side that score from anywhere in their side.
With probably the most exciting back line in this division, Ballymena will be careful not to kick aimlessly or concede needless turnovers that will give their visitors the opportunity to run back at them.
The likes of Chris Cochrane, Conor Gaston and Paul McKenzie have been in good AIL form this season and they possess pace that poses threats to any defence. But Dungannon have more than just a good back line. They also possess a dynamic back row that includes Ulster "A" flanker Alistair Birch and a mobile hooker in Adam Duhig.
Dungannon though have been inconsistent throughout the campaign to date. Four wins and four losses from their eight games sees them in 4th place in the table just 2 points and 2 places behind Ballymena who have lost just twice and picked up a draw.
While Ballymena have amassed 4 bonus points, Dungannon have got an average of one per game - 8 in total - and they have also scored approximately 50 more points than Ballymena while conceding roughly 50 more too.
Run
Three All Ireland League games ago, Dungannon put a run of four defeats at the hands of UCC behind them to see off the students 27-14 at Stevenson Park. Played in wet and windy conditions Dungannon were in control throughout but left it late to get the points their performances deserved.
The played with the wind on their backs in the first half and took the lead through an early penalty by out half Jaryd Bennett. Bennett then converted from the touchline after a counterattack led by wing Chris Cochrane was finished off out wide by centre Stuart McCloskey that made the score 10-0.
Dungannon went 15-0 ahead in the 52nd minute when full back Conor Gaston started and finished a move when he linked with Cochrane and hooker Adam Duhig. 15 - 0. The County Tyrone side then scored off a penalty lineout that saw Cochrane roar through the UCC midfield that when Bennett converted made the score 22-0.
The bonus point try came after 65 minutes when off a penalty, flanker Alistair Birch went over for a converted try that made the score 27-0. However in the last couple of minutes UCC got a penalty try and then a late injury time converted try that made the final score 27-14.
Headed
The following week Dungannon headed to Athlone to face Buccaneers. After going into a 0-3 lead with a Bennett penalty, the home side responded with a converted try by wing John O'Brien and then Dungannon conceded a soft score that put Buccaneers into a 12-3 lead.
Dungannon came back into the game with a fine converted try from Cochrane that made the half time score 12-10. Dungannon dominated at the start of the second period and went close on a couple of occasions through their pack. As it was they only had a Bennett penalty to show for their efforts that made the score 12-13 after 60 minutes.
However Buccaneers responded well and almost immediately and got a penalty and a converted try that put them 22-13 ahead just 6 minutes later. Another penalty extended that lead to 12 points before Birch was driven over for a converted try that gave Dungannon hope of grabbing at least a losing bonus point. However Buccaneers ruined the day with a bonus-point try and another penalty that made the final score 33-20.
Home
Then last weekend Dungannon were at home to Bruff and their 28-15 win included a try-scoring bonus point that moved them into fourth place in the table and just a couple of points behind Ballymena.
Again Cochrane was on the score sheet when he replied to an early Bruff penalty with a fine try. Michael Lawton could not add the extra points but he did knock over a penalty before prop Mark Farquahar scored his side's second try to make the half time score 13-3.
However the Bruff pack then took control of the match and they helped their side into a 13-15 lead through two tries, one of which was converted. Dungannon though got back into the game with a try from centre Paul McKenzie that was converted by Lawton. The same player then added another penalty before Cochrane got his second try of the match to complete the scoring.
If the weather is kind to the Ballymena area this week and on Saturday then there is in prospect another exciting contest between Ballymena and Dungannon. Ballymena will want to show that last week's performance at Harlequins was not typical of their season but in Dungannon they face dangerous opponents who have the ability to punish mistakes and inaccuracies.
Ballymena's AIL Record. UCC 6-8 Ballymena, Ballymena 10-16 Buccaneers, Bruff 28-34 Ballymena, Ballymena 32-19 Galwegians, Ballymena 11-11 UCD, UL Bohemians 13-30 Ballymena, Ballymena 6-3 Ballynahinch, Belfast Harlequins 9-0 Ballymena
Dungannon's AIL Record. Dungannon 35-13 UCD, UL Bohemians 12-5 Dungannon, Dungannon 21-25 Ballynahinch, Belfast Harlequins 15-27 Dungannon, Galwegians 28-24 Dungannon, Dungannon 27-14 UCC, Buccaneers 33-20 Dungannon, Dungannon 28-15 Bruff
Friday's Fixture. Buccaneers v Galwegians.
Saturday's Fixtures. Ballymena v Dungannon, Bruff v UCC, UCD v Belfast Harlequins, UL Bohemians v Ballynahinch

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