Coleraine secure bonus point win

Coleraine found their form away to CIYMS in Belfast on Saturday, producing a bonus point win.
Coleraine First XV pictured before the gameColeraine First XV pictured before the game
Coleraine First XV pictured before the game

It was a hard fought game, played in great conditions, and produced some great running rugby from both teams.

At the final whistle Coleraine had secured an emphatic win, five tries and a winning bonus point, the score CIYMS 29 - 36 Coleraine.

Coleraine coach Benjy Van Der Byl was very happy with the result in the Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship.

He said: “It was a really strong performance and bodes well for games to come. We now are looking forward to training and getting ready for our next game.”

In the game CIYMS had the first points from an early penalty and ten minutes later a penalty try, leading 10-0 after 15 minutes.

Coleraine were far from beaten and soon it was Josh Christie who got the final touch as they forced through the home defence to score. The awkward conversion was just off target. 10-5

Just short of the half hour Keith McKnight made a forceful run on the wing, batting away defensive tackles, to score in the corner. Again the conversion drifted just wide. 10-10

Five minutes later Coleraine full back Gavin Pienaar gathered a slick pass from Matthew Leighton and forced his way across the line in the corner, cleverly diving below the final tackles. He also converted. 10-17

It was five minutes later CIYMS scored an unconverted try to leave the scoreline 15-17 at the break.

It was 20 minutes into the second half when the next score came. The home side showed great composure and structure as they attacked the Coleraine lines, scoring a converted try in the corner. 22-17

Coleraine were undeterred and five minutes later Pienaar made a decisive break from the halfway line, passing to the supporting Brian Cochrane to sprint and score under the posts. Pienaar converted. 22-24

The next score also went to Coleraine, Crowe taking a great line to break the defensive line, passing to Cochrane and finally to Bradley Dempster to score the points. Pienaar converted. 22-31

Coleraine’s final score again came from spirited back line play, this time newcomer Martin Senk secured the points after breaking through the defence. The conversion was just wide. 22-36

The final points went to the home side after a late rally saw them break through on the wing and score under the posts. The conversion was on target.

Coleraine were well pleased with the final 29-36 scoreline, both sides also claiming a bonus point.

Coleraine are scheduled to entertain Ballynahinch Seconds in the Conference League this weekend whilst the Thirds are away to Academy.

Coleraine First XV. C Butler, A McKee, C Breadon, J Christie, K McKnight, B Mullan (Capt), B Baillie, S Dickey, M Leighton, J Crowe, B Cochrane, M Senk, B Dempster, S Callaghan, G Pienaar, Subs: M Juzl, F Wiseman.

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