Ballymena pip 'Tarf

Clontarf 22 Ballymena 23

Ballymena picked up their first win of the current AIB League campaign as they beat Clontarf 23-22 at Castle Avenue thanks to a late Donovan Raw penalty.

The Braidmen came from 22-10 behind to beat Clontarf for the eighth time in 12 league games.

Tries from lock Alan Trenier, hooker Niall Carson and winger Derek Keane helped the Dubliners into a 15-10 interval lead.

They tagged on a penalty try, but tries from winger Craig Woods and prop Adrian Kirkpatrick and out-half Raw’s 13-point kicking contribution saw the visitors come out on top.

Ballymena ventured south looking to gain some revenge from last March’s 36-6 league defeat to the same opposition at their Eaton Park base.

Coach Jacques Benade was able to include Ulster centre Seamus Mallon in his side, while Clontarf stuck with the young half-back partnership of Ian Keatley and Paul O’Donohoe that served them so well in last weekend’s 31-15 win at St. Mary’s College.

In what was a dour game dominated by the windy conditions, Ballymena had the benefit of the elements in the opening half but ‘Tarf frustrated them by holding onto possession for long stages.

‘Tarf’s back row unit of Simon Crawford, New Zealander Chris Elvin and Martin Garvey were to the fore and the hosts took a first quarter lead thanks to Trenier’s try.

A similar maul effort led to Carson’s score and Keane had the strength and speed to make the corner late in the half. At the other end, a neat back-line move led to Woods crossing the whitewash, with Raw’s penalty and conversion ensuring that the visitors were only five points behind.

A penalty try, which came as Ballymena pulled down a maul close to their posts, edged the Dubliners into a 12-point lead but that was as good as it got for Andy Wood’s men.

Keatley and Donohoe were not having much influence on the proceedings and the boot of South African recruit Raw helped Ballymena get back in touch.

He kicked two penalties, either side of Kirkpatrick’s seven-pointer, to see Benade’s charges claim a much-needed win – their first win in ten AIB League games. Their last victory was back in the first week of January (40-10 away to UCD).

Scorers: Clontarf: Tries: Alan Trenier, Niall Carson, Derek Keane, Penalty try; Con: Ian Keatley

Ballymena: Tries: Craig Woods, Adrian Fitzpatrick; Cons: Donovan Raw 2; Pens: Donovan Raw 3