As the summer database maintenance and image migration continue, we take a look back at the conclusion of the 2009–10 rugby season. It was a busy Easter at Ravenhill as they hosted the Towns, Forster and McCambley Cup Finals over three weekends.
1. Powerade Towns Cup Final: Ballymoney 15 Clogher Valley 14
Date: 5 April 2010
The Easter Monday tradition of the Towns Cup Final produced a close finish at Ravenhill, with Ballymoney claiming their first ever title after trailing for much of the match.
Both teams played a conservative first half, with Ballymoney using a strong wind to control territory. The breakthrough came late in the half when Jason Taggart powered over the line to establish a 5–0 lead for the Co. Antrim side at the interval.
Clogher Valley made excellent use of the elements after the restart, pinning Ballymoney back and scoring two quick, converted tries—first from No. 8 BJ Wilson and then via an interception on the halfway line by Andy Breen, with Aaron Best converting both to push the Fermanagh side ahead 14–5.
Ballymoney responded by tightening their close play up front. Martin Irwin slotted a penalty on 60 minutes to narrow the gap to 14–8. Maintaining sustained pressure inside the Clogher 22, flanker Johnny Hanna forced his way over for a crucial 70th-minute try. Irwin added the conversion to edge Ballymoney ahead by a single point, and the side held out against a late Clogher charge from Ali Breen to secure a famous 15–14 victory.
2. Forster Cup Final: Enniskillen III 18 Monaghan II 10
Date: 10 April 2010
The Forster Cup Final at Ravenhill was a physical, hard-fought match between two teams that defended resolutely. Enniskillen opened the scoring with an early Rory Connolly penalty, but Monaghan responded with determination. Pressuring the Enniskillen line, Monaghan center Jo Jo Sheridan made a direct run, scoring under the posts. Scrum-half Jonny Reid added the conversion. Reid and connolly swapped penalties to take Monaghan into the interval with a 10 – 6 lead.
Turning round to play with the breeze, Enniskillen increased their intensity in the loose. Their forward pack began taking charge, leading to a crucial try from James Prenter that edged ‘Skins into a one-point lead. Monaghan pressured late in the game, but Ross Duncan scored with his pack behind him to secure an 18 – 10 victory.
3. McCambley Cup Final: Ards IV 23 Ballymoney IV 6
Date: 18 April 2010
Played in dry conditions at Ravenhill, an experienced Ards IV outfit delivered a disciplined performance in forward play to capture the McCambley Cup. Ards set the tone up front from the opening whistle, with the front row of Gary Dempsey, Aaron Ward, and Stuart Stevenson establishing an advantage over their counterparts. Joe Montgomery opened the scoring with an early penalty before the Ards backs combined effectively.
In the 13th minute, a driven maul saw JD Gamble pass to Stephen Bell, who found Shane Stewart running at pace. A well-timed pass sent winger Jack Flynn over on the left wing. Flynn added a second try shortly afterwards, stretching forward under pressure from three Ballymoney defenders to touch down in the corner and build a 15 – 0 half-time lead.
Ballymoney responded with two penalties into a stiff second-half breeze, but Montgomery replied with a penalty of his own before forward Graham Hill scored from a rolling maul in the 64th minute to complete a 23 – 6 win.
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