Students dismal record against Ballymena continues

Ballymena 19 UCD 0

Ballymena made it two Division One wins over the trot as they continued their unbeaten league record against UCD with a 19-0 success at Eaton Park.

This was the Braidmen's seventh straight victory over the Dublin students - they drew 9-9 in their first meeting back in 1994.

A tenth-minute try from Ulster-contracted centre Seamus Mallon got the hosts up and running and they led 8-0 at the break, with South African Donovan Raw adding a penalty.

Raw kicked two further penalties before lock Ian Caldwell dotted down in injury-time.

UCD failed to build on their two recent wins as Ballymena deservedly took the plaudits with a combative performance. Jacques Benade's side ended a losing run of ten league matches last weekend and look to have turned a corner.

They have a number of good young players, particularly Jamie Smith at full-back, scrum half Craig Woods and number 8 Chris Henry. All three played their part as the Ulstermen moved up from 13th to 11th place in the table.

Mallon grabbed his try in the opening quarter as the Ballymena pack made light of the wind and rain to drive up into the UCD 22 and quick ruck ball saw Mallon flash through a gap and over for an unconverted score.

The first half's only other score was a well-struck penalty from Ballymena out-half Raw, who came into the game having scored 24 points in his three previous league outings.

Either side of the hour mark, Raw tagged on two further penalties and with Ballymena's defence being able to contain the attacking threats of Vasily Artemiev and Andy Cummiskey, the experienced Caldwell barged over for the clinching try after a concerted drive from the home forwards.

The win was all the more satisfying for Benade and his coaching team given that Ballymena had come into the game as the side that had conceded the most tries (11) over the opening three weekends in Division One.

Scorers: Ballymena: Tries: Seamus Mallon, Ian Caldwell; Pens: Donovan Raw 3

UCD: -