Ballymoney Rugby Club

🍴 𝗣𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 🍴

After a great win last Saturday away to Portadown in Championship 1, we host Ballyclare 2s this week in the Junior Cup.

All members, family, friends and supporters are very welcome to our pre-match lunch ahead of kick off. Just speak to John on 07935 355890, by Thursday evening, to book your place.

𝗨𝟭𝟲 𝗣𝗿𝗲‑𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆:
𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝗙𝗖 𝘃𝘀 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗙𝗖

The Toon kicked off their first friendly of the new season with real intent, taking the game to City of Derry from the first whistle. Work rate was high, the carries were strong, and the boys showed plenty of sharp early‑season form. Ballymoney kept the scoreboard ticking with points coming from all over the park — Zac McB, Sam W, Jamie M, Tyler B, Adam S, and Tom McD all getting on the sheet and setting the tone for what’s ahead this year.A solid shift from the squad, great energy, and plenty to build on as the season gets underway.

As always keeping that Blue flag flying High
💙🩵 C’mon the Toon!

𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗫𝗩 𝗗𝗶𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻

On a day when so many regulars were unavailable, the 2nd XV headed to Portadown with a squad of just 15 players, after both Jack McAuley and Matthew Blair were called up to the 1st XV.

Ballymoney started strongly, keeping Portadown pinned back in their own half through the boot of Gary Pattison and forcing the hosts to play from deep. Eventually, through hard work at the breakdown from Danny Platt and Alfie McCook, Ballymoney won a penalty, which was converted to make the score 0-3.

Sticking to the game plan, Ballymoney again kept Portadown pinned back and did not allow them out of their own half. From a scrum just outside the Portadown 22, Ballymoney ran the ball through the hands of the backs, getting it wide to Thomas Sloan, who beat three defenders to score in the corner. The try was unconverted, leaving the score at 0-8.

Portadown came to play and, with some hard-running lines combined with a high penalty count from Ballymoney, managed to get over the line to make it 5-8.

The Ballymoney pack made life difficult for Portadown at the scrums, lineouts and rucks, resulting in some excellent phases of play and allowing Jack Hart to cross the line for another score in the corner. Again, the try went unconverted, leaving the score at 5-13.

Not to be beaten, Portadown pushed hard towards the end of the first half and managed to get themselves back on the scoreboard, bringing the half-time score to 10-13.

The second half was an evenly matched contest, with Ballymoney kicking a penalty after 10 minutes to extend their lead to 10-16.

From this point, Portadown really started to attack, but some big hits from Rab Newton, William Parkhill, Danny Platt and Adam Hodges, along with strong defensive efforts from the rest of the team, ensured that Portadown could not find a way through.

The final 20 minutes saw Ballymoney camped in their own 22, showing real grit and determination to keep the Portadown attack at bay.
Final score: Portadown 10-16 Ballymoney.

It was a good day at the office for the 2nd XV, who now turn their attention to the week ahead as they prepare to face Omagh at home.

Captain Gary Pattison said:
“It was a long, tough game today, with loads of good stuff happening, but we know we have a lot to work on too. With only 15 men, I asked the men for 80 minutes of effort, and honestly, I couldn’t be prouder of the response and effort we put in to come away with the win. The heart of a Ballymoney team really showed today.”

🏉☀️ What a great first Saturday morning of the season at Ballymoney RFC for Mini Rugby!

It was fantastic to see the sun shining and, even better, to see so many familiar faces returning along with lots of new faces joining us this morning. 💙

There’s still plenty of room for any friends, neighbours and cousins who might like to come along and give rugby a try — everyone is welcome!

We’re already looking forward to our first match of the season next week. Bring on the rugby! 🏉💙

An excellent day at the office for both the 1st XV and 2nd XV, as both sides travelled back to Kilraughts Road from Portadown RFC with wins secured!

🏉 1st XV 17–15 Portadown 1XV
🏉 2nd XV 16–10 Portadown 2XV

Two hard-fought victories and a great way to get the league campaign underway.

𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗦
🗓️ Saturday 5th September

1️⃣XV vs Portadown
⏰ KO 2.30pm
📍 Portadown RFC
🏆 League

2️⃣XV vs Portadown 2XV
⏰ KO 2.30pm
📍 Portadown RFC
🏆 League

𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜 𝗥𝗨𝗚𝗕𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦
Training returns on Saturday 5th September, 9am - 10am!!

𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦
🗓️ Saturday 5th September

💙 U14, U16 & U18 Boys vs City of Derry
⏰ KO 11am
📍 City of Derry RFC
🏆 Friendly

𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦
🗓️ Saturday 5th September

1️⃣XV vs Portadown
⏰ KO 2.30pm
📍 Portadown RFC
🏆 League

2️⃣XV vs Portadown 2XV
⏰ KO 2.30pm
📍 Portadown RFC
🏆 League

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝗙𝗖 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀 & 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 — 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲/𝟮𝟳!

We’re delighted to welcome back all our players for another exciting year of rugby, and extend a warm welcome to all new families joining us for the first time.
Everyone from P1 to Year 8 is welcome, and we love seeing our Minis & Youth section grow, so returning and new players are encouraged to bring along friends, neighbours and cousins who might like to give rugby a try!

📍 Attached is the training layout showing where each year group will be based on Saturday mornings throughout the season.

📝 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀:
Please visit the Registration Stand when you arrive. Our volunteers will guide you through Minis registration, fees, and collect your child’s details and your contact number so we can add you to the correct year‑group WhatsApp group.

🦷 𝗚𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀:
The clubhouse opens at 8:30am, where Kim McKeown will be available to make gum shields — £40 per child.
Gum shields are mandatory for all players from P4 and above.
Parents should feel no pressure to purchase a custom one — a regular moulded gum shield is absolutely fine, particularly for younger age groups.

🚫 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 & 𝗞𝗶𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
Please ensure players do not wear jewellery (earrings, necklaces, bracelets etc.), and no zips or hoods on training tops. These are important safety requirements for contact rugby.

👕 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 :
We kindly ask parents to put names on all clothing, kit and water bottles. Many items are left behind each week, and labelled gear makes it much easier to return to the right owner.

☕🍰 𝗧𝗲𝗮, 𝗖𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 & 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀:
Our refreshments stand will be running as usual, with all proceeds supporting the P7 Tour.

We can’t wait to see the pitches full again and watch our young players grow, learn and enjoy their rugby. Training is 9am - 10am on Saturday mornings. See you then 👋

🏉 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 🏉

The summer break is officially over and each section of the Club is slowly coming back to life.
A busy 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 lies ahead so get the diary out and pop the dates in!

On Saturday 29th August we hosted our first pre match lunch of the 2026-27 season and we were delighted to welcome Hugh Gibson, President Omagh RFC to Kilraughts Road. Hugh is pictured with Ballymoney RFC President John Hunter.