I’d heard quite a bit about the Ballymena Academy U16 team during the week so I took the chance to catch up with them on Saturday morning when they played Ballyclare High School in their last group game at Rashee Road.

The Ballymena side certainly lived up to the hype as they ran in 6 first half tries, one converted to rush to a 32 – 0 lead at the break.

I’d to head off at that stage but the visitors scored two more in the second half, one converted, to take the game 0 – 44 according to the official result.

Ballyclare had their moments but just weren’t able to find the continuity against a well drilled Ballymena side who probably took the most pleasure out of keeping their opponents scoreless.

The Ballymena tries came from Tom Coulter, Mark Reece Williamson, Callum Mustoe, Hayden Smyth, Michael McLean and Sean McKay with Robbie Coleman and Ali Carson each kicking a conversion.

I believe that Ballymena Academy will now meet Methodist College in the Schools U16 Cup final on 17th November. Should be a cracker!

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