After the disappointment last week in Galway, Ballymena travelled to Dublin on Saturday to play the re-arranged fixture with Old Wesley. They did so knowing that a good performance and win would lift them back into 3rd place, and would then be in charge of their own destiny going into the final round of games next weekend.
They did not disappoint and triumphed 41 -3 scoring 6 tries and gaining a full 5 points from the trip which now leaves them 3rd on 46points , 3 ahead of Belfast Harlequins and 4 ahead of Bective.They started strongly and immediately put pressure on their opponents winning a penalty early on. They kicked to the corner and from the resulting line-out and following a couple of phases Simon Shawe was driven over for the opening try, 5mins into the game.
Old Wesley hit back strongly and after some good defending by Ballymena they conceded a penalty which the home side duly converted to leave the score 5-3 in favour of the visitors.
Ballymena stepped it up and score two more tries before the interval. The first was created from a good break by Roger McBurney who put Tommy Seymour in for the score with a neat inside pass. Davy O’Hara converted.
Shortly afterwards Martin Irwin made it a half-time lead of 17-3 with a well taken try in the corner.
In the second half Ballymena had a lean 15 – 20 minutes but defended well to deny Old Wesley any further points. David O’Hara was successful with a penalty during this period.
This lifted the visitors and again after another attack , Ballymena extended their lead with the bonus point try from Jamie Smith, again converted by O’Hara, 27 – 3.
Old Wesley began to tire and Ballymena took advantage towards the end of the match to score another two tries. Tommy Seymour got his second which was converted then at the end Ali Frazer ran in under the posts which when converted left the final score a very successful and pleasing 41 – 3.
This should leave Ballymena in good shape for their final match of the competition this weekend at home to Terenure.
In addition to this match Ballymena 5th XV lifted the McCambley Cup once again at Ravenhill where they beat Ards 4th XV.
Ballymena U19 team also won the Final of their Bowl competition where they beat Portadown.
