Ballinrobe 19 Tuam 27

(REPORT BY AARON O'CONNOR)

In the third meeting between these two sides this season, (1 win a piece before today), this tie was always going to be a good watch for both sets of supporters.

Ballinrobe got out the gates early and punished a knock on from the first line out to Tuam. With the strong Tuam defence not enough to cause the clinical Ballinrobe attack to turnover possession, Ballinrobe going in and converted the try for a maximum points 7-0 lead after 6 minutes of constant attack.

Our lads didn't let their focus & heads drop though, once we got the ball we maintained it for what seemed the rest of the half, scoring in the 11th & 16th minutes. Both scored by Corey Kelly and both converted by Adam Fahy giving us a 14-7 lead.

On 26 minutes Shane McWalter, ever the terror with ball in hand, made a great decision when fed with ball out wide, using his pace to dot down. Unfortunately Adam Fahy missed the conversion but the lead was now 19-7. One last attack before half time saw the recently returned Corey Kelly, after a long lay off, complete his Hat Trick, Tuam missed the conversion but half time lead 24-7.

With a half time team talk in the Ballinrobe side where they must have had Warren Gatland on speed dial, the game turned on its head in the second half. Two unanswered tries by Ballinrobe on minutes 40 and 44 saw them come back to 24-19.

In the spirit of Valentines Day coming up the referee wanted to be part of the card action with both teams seeing yellow cards but it was Adam Fahy with the final say on 53 minutes, converting a penalty to take the lead to 8 points, denying Ballinrobe the losing bonus point and we return home with 5 points in the bag.

We wish Ballinrobe all the best for the rest of the group stage & as always with this team, want to thank them for their great hospitality.

In what was a great team performance, Shane McWalter was Player of the Match for his all round performance and attitude.

A few weeks off now for our lads before we return to Cup action in March.