Today’s Division 1B clash at Annacotty was plodding along in a somewhat tedious manner until a three-try blitz in a seven-minute spell pushed Ballymena out of sight and on their way to a 30-13 success.

YOUNG MUNSTER player coach Mike Prendergast marked his return from long-term injury with a welcome 23-19 Ulster Bank victory to provide holders Old Belvedere with a reality check at Clifford Park.

Ballymena took the spoils in a rain-hit Division 1B opener against UCC at the Mardyke where centre Alisdair Frazer scored the only try.