Ballymena win close contest

Ballymena 12 Blackrock College 17

First half tries from Fionn Carr and Niall Morris helped Blackrock College score a notable win over Ballymena at Eaton Park today.

It was only 'Rock's second win in six league visits to the home of the Braidmen.

The Dubliners had built up a 17-6 lead by half-time with full-back Carr helping himself to his fifth try of the league campaign. Former Ireland U-19 international Morris was scoring for the second week running.

Ballymena's points came from three Craig Woods penalties and a Donovan Raw drop goal.

Jacques Benade’s home side were simply not good enough and were made to pay for a sleepy start as they fell to their third successive league loss.

Missing some key players through injury and without their Ulster-contracted men, they fell 17-3 behind and struggled to make their mark on the game despite an improved final quarter.

Having reduced the arrears to 17-12, they had ‘Rock under pressure and pinned back in their own 22 for the closing 10 minutes, but their efforts were in vain as the visitors held on to move up to fifth in the Division One standings.

‘Rock’s slick back-line play has been a feature for them this season and they had some quality players to finish off their moves, not least Carr whose supporting running has helped him get amongst the tries.

Morris is also emerging as a wide man with a good strike rate and the youngster followed up on his try last week at home to Dolphin.

Carr converted both tries this afternoon, adding to an earlier penalty, to move his points tally for the season to 92 and leave Ballymena in their wake.

A second penalty from scrum half Woods cut the gap to 11 points but Division One’s top Ulster club were staring at their fifth defeat in their last six league clashes with Blackrock.

Despite that improvement in the second half, which was initiated by a third Woods penalty and a fine drop goal from Raw, Ballymena just could not break down a stubborn ‘Rock defence.

Scorers:

Ballymena: Pens: Craig Woods 3; Drop: Donovan Raw

Blackrock College: Tries: Fionn Carr, Niall Morris; Cons: Fionn Carr 2

Pen: Fionn Carr