Ricky Millar plays 500th game for Ballymoney RFC

BALLYMONEY Fourths welcomed City of Derry Thirds to Kilraughts Road for a momentous day as it was Ricky Millar who captained the side on his 500th game for Ballymoney RFC.
The match started with a kick off from Kenny Dunlop who made a swift exit after a perfect hanging ball giving early opportunity to the home side to compete for the ball.
The opening phases saw both sides compete well and was a close encounter with open play for the first 10 minutes saw running rugby from both sides, but City of Derry got an early penalty in front of the posts to take the lead 3-0.
Ballymoney forwards made good ground on the Derry pack securing scrums and line outs setting a great platform for James Cleland at scrum-half to attack down the blind side to score in the corner to get the first try of the game. The conversion was missed leaving Ballymoney with a narrow lead, 3-5.
Derry set up good phase play though the pack and were nestled in the Ballymoney half for some time before they eventually got a converted try to take Derry into the lead 10-5 going into half time.
The second half started well for the home side securing ball from the kick off which enabled
Ballymoney to put some phases of play with Benjy and Darren Smyth breaking the Derry back line to get them on the back foot and quick support from Sam & George McAuley to secure ball ensured quick hands through the forwards where Andrew Millar who was able to put Matthew Dunlop into the gap to score a well deserved try.
The conversion was missed by Ryan Brace leaving the score 10-10.
Ballymoney were only 10 minutes into the second half and were making good progress in the Derry 22 where front foot ball created by the forwards enabled James Cleland to score down the blind side. His conversion was missed giving Ballymoney the lead 15-10.
With 20 minutes left the game saw the introduction of a few old hands Simon & Nicolas Armstrong, Aidy White, Craig Nesbitt and Lee settling into the backline with Nigel McCollum, Pollock, Skelton and Jimmy Spears all putting the shoulder to the wheel in the pack to support Ricky Millar to maintain the Ballymoney lead.
The cobwebs didn’t take long to blow off Simon Armstrong who caught a Derry kick and made good ground winning his collision on the wing. Older brother Nicolas was also showing his class at scrum-half recycling quick ball to the backs.
Craig Nesbit executed an unorthodox kick and catch to fool everyone. Ballymoney were now in the Derry 22 posing a threat but ill discipline from the man of the moment Ricky Millar allowed Derry to exit their 22.
The game was now closing in on the last five minutes and Ballymoney were keen to secure the lead pick so the original backline and forwards took to the field and very quickly Chris Clark had scored in the corner or so we thought for the decision to be decided as held up.
Derry were increasing intensity and they were on the Ballymoney 5m line and the driving maul got them over the line for the try which was converted to take the lead 17-15.
The game could have gone either way with both side trying to find a way take the win and in the last five minutes of the game Derry secured their scrum and from inside their own half McKillop made a break from 8 who was now one on one with the full back who passed before contact to the supporting Derry full-back who scored under the posts to give Derry a converted try and win the game 24-15.
The result was disappointing but the day proved to be encouraging as a club with great support for Ricky Millar in his 500th game.