AIL Rugby: Ballymena increase chances of top four finish

Ballymena 41 Clontarf 31

Ballymena started in whirlwind fashion and scored 2-5 in the first 10

minutes, through Derek Topping and Rhys Botha, both of whose tries were

converted by Neil Doak, who also added a penalty.

Clontarf came back with a try by Dave Sheehan, converted by Dave O'Brien.

Topping added a further try for Ballymena, but a try, conversion and

penalty, all by O'Brien kept Clontarf in the game at the interval at 22-17.

In the second half, Ballymena started again with all guns firing and went

into what seemed an unassailable 41-17 lead, with tries by Shane Stewart,

Russell Nelson and man-of-the match Rhys Botha, two of whoch Neil Doak

converted.

However they inexplicably again relaxed and Donovan Rossi and Rod Nowlan

added late tries for Clontarf, both of which O'Brien converted.

The visitors attacked for the remainder of the game but Ballymena held out

to gain maximum points and imporve their chances of a top four position.