Graham knows Braidmen cannot slip up in quest to salvage season
THE pressure is growing on Ballymena, who are beginning to look as if they may not be able to avoid being irreversibly cast adrift at the foot of the table.
Just one win in six games has resulted in coach Andy Graham’s men being four points behind ninth-placed Buccaneers and a yawning 13 back from Old Belvedere, who are in eighth and happen to be the Braidmen’s opponents tomorrow in what is an inescapably must-win for the Eaton Park side.
The home side are able to put out a pretty decent back-row for this high-pressure fixture, with Ulster’s Clive Ross and brothers Mattie and Marcus Rea all released, along with hooker John Andrew, bringing extra presence to the front five.
“Silly mistakes are killing us,” said Graham, whose side have now lost three on the bounce since their, so far, sole win over St Mary’s in round three.
“Every week we say we have to win, but we really have to win because we’re becoming isolated as it would keep us in touch (in the table) and it would help morale.
“We showed against St Mary’s that we could score tries but we haven’t put it together since then, and that’s the issue.
“Hopefully we can get it right this week.”
Another big Ulster derby beckons tomorrow as league leaders Malone are at third-placed Banbridge, where their hosts are aiming to avenge last weekend’s narrow defeat at Ballynahinch.
Centre Stewart Moore should be available again for Malone but prop Ross Kane may not be, while Adam McBurney and Ben McCaughey are involved with the Ulster senior team and the Under-19s respectively.
Ballynahinch, currently in fifth, have Peter Nelson, Kyle McCall and brother Zack, along with prop Tommy O’Hagan, all on board for their trip to Old Wesley’s artificial surface at Donnybrook.
Elsewhere in Division 1B, City of Armagh are on the road to Buccaneers.
1B: Old Wesley v Ballynahinch, Ballymena v Old Belvedere, Banbridge v Malone, Buccaneers v City of Armagh .