Blackrock backs make the difference

Blackrock College 27 Ballymena 10

Blackrock College gave their chances of making the Division One semi-finals a significant boost as their backs ran amok in a bonus-point 27-10 win over Ballymena this afternoon.

Blackrock pushed their way up to second place in the table thanks to their eighth win of the campaign.

Full-back Niall Morris kicked a third-minute penalty to edge the hosts ahead and the ‘Rock back-line, let loose by very effective scrum half David Moore, immediately looked potent with ball in hand.

But Ballymena’s defence was resolute and they kept the scoreline to 3-0 up to half-time.

The Braidmen engineered a decent try-scoring chance, midway through the half, but after a surging run from Ulster-capped centre Seamus Mallon, the ball was bundled away into touch.

Jacques Benade’s side also had a series of long range penalty attempts but scrum half Craig Woods missed all three shots.

Nonetheless, ‘Rock continued to look the side more likely to score a try and they began to punch holes in the Ballymena defence, early in the second period.

Kyle Tonetti, back from Ireland Sevens duty, charged through the cover and touched down for a 45th-minute try, which he converted himself.

Then man-of-the-match Moore broke from a scrum and scorched over for his first try.

Tonetti added the conversion and then broke free from 30 metres out before sending out a long pass for centre Stanley McDowell to score in the corner and give ‘Rock a 22-0 lead.

Craig Woods kicked a penalty to open Ballymena’s account but the hosts were soon celebrating their bonus point-clinching score when Moore split open the defence again and finished off a 70th-minute move.

Tonetti’s successful conversion was not the final scoring act – Ballymena saved some face with a 78th-minute converted try from centre Ian Whitten – but ‘Rock ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Scorers:

Blackrock College: Tries: David Moore 2, Kyle Tonetti, Stanley McDowell; Cons: Kyle Tonetti 2; Pen: Niall Morris

Ballymena: Try: Ian Whitten; Con: Tommy Woods; Pen: Craig Woods