Malone U19 win their Nutty Krust Quarter Final against Ballymena

Tuesday night saw the rearranged quarter final match between Malone and Ballymena with both teams vying for a place in this year’s semi finals played at Chambers Park Portadown

Ballymena kicked off proceedings but were on the back foot from the start when Malone centre Ryan Beck raced through to score under the posts after 2mins play . Outhalf Chris Halliday added the extra points. Ballymena were awarded a penalty for Malone going in off there feet and Paul Rainey’s attempt at the posts was short and wide. On 8 mins Malone increased there lead when Ballymena went offside and Chris Halliday slotted over to make the score 10-0 in the Belfast men’s favour.

A poor restart from Ballymena led to a scrum on the halfway line and with the ball moved out the back line Malone moved up to the 10 metre line were prop Ben Halliday picked up the ball and with a strong run went over to score his first of 3 trys of the evening. , again Chris Hallidy added the extra points. Ballymena finally got on the score board when Malone outhalf knocked on and playing advantage Curtis Bowes picked up and ran in from the 22 to score , Paul Rainey,s conversion attempt went wide. 17-5 to Malone.

Further pressure from Malone led to penalty award on 24 mins which they kicked to the corner and from the line out Ben Halliday was on hand to score his second of the night . Chris Halliday’s conversion attempt was wide. In the final minutes of the half Ballymena had a period of pressure on the Malone 5m line but the malone defence held firm

Half time score Malone 22 Ballymena 5

The second half started like the first with Malone scoring with only 3 mins played and again it was Ben Halliday crossing the whitewash to score in the corner with his third of the night, conversion attempt missed,. From the re start Malone centre Ryan Beck made a break and the ball was moved to the wing were Greg Wilson rounded off to score , again conversion attempt was wide. 32-7 Malone.

Malone further increased there lead when no 6 Simon Menabney scored in the corner with Chris Halliday missing the conversion , Ballymena to there credit mounted a spirited fight back when no 8 Calvin Galbraith made a break and centre Curtis Bowes was on his shoulder to score under the posts. Michael Lowry added the extra points. Ballymena no 4 Ronan Mcilwaine made a line break and was one on one but a superb tackle prevented him from scoring.

Ballymena’s final score came from Curtis Bowes who ran in his3rd try of the evening again the conversion attempt was missed. Malone wrapped up proceedings when Chris Halliday slotted over a penalty
To leave the final score Malone 40 Ballymena17

So Malone the better team on the night progress to the semi finals .