Westport power to victory over Ballyhaunis in Mayo rugby derby

CONNACHT J1B LEAGUE

Westport RFC 35

Ballyhaunis RFC 5

In Carrowholly

A dominant second half ensured the 'Bulls' are off to a flying start. On a dry and mild Saturday evening, it was a convincing performance from start to finish for Westport.

Centre Harry Sheridan was almost unstoppable. He was man-of-the-match, especially thanks to a masterpiece of a try in the first half. 

The man in the number 12 jersey ran a perfect line and galloped through the Ballyhaunis defensive line. Sheridan then danced around the last defenders to touch down between the posts.

Westport clearly won the kicking game, as their fly-half Stephen Loftus booted the ball deep into the opposition, every time he spotted some space.

Ballyhaunis had travelled to Carrowholly with hopes for a better outcome as they have impressed so far this season, reaching the Curley Cup final and winning their first league match last week against Corinthians 3XV.

The other Westport tries were scored by Paddy Cafferky, Ben Ruane Cooper, Ross Bourke and Sheridan scored a second one.

It was essentially Westport's powerful game in possession with the ball and their excellent defence that won the day.

The only Ballyhaunis score came off a trick-play line-out, straight from the training ground, when the ball was passed back inside to the hooker Jason Morley to touch down for his team's only score of the day.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.