Ulster Bank League Division 1B Round-Up

Today’s Division 1B clash at Annacotty was plodding along in a somewhat tedious manner until a three-try blitz in a seven-minute spell pushed Ballymena out of sight and on their way to a 30-13 success.

JJ Hanrahan kicked a third minute penalty for UL Bohemians but a superb drop goal from 40 yards by John Semple tied it up after 33 minutes.

It remained that way up to the interval and 12 minutes into the second half a penalty by Semple edged Ballymena in front for the first time.

The lead lasted only six minutes as Hanrahan put over his second penalty for UL to make it 6-6.

Then came a yellow card for UL Bohs number 8 Sean Rennison for an infringement in a ruck just on the hour.

Three minutes later came the first of the Ballymena tries when centre Richard Aingworth raced in and before UL could regroup they conceded a second try, this time scored by full-back Ricky Andrew.

To add to the grief of the home side, winger Alisdair Frazer then added his name to the Braidmen’s list of try scorers

Replacement Ben Martin got in for a consolation try for UL which Hanrahan converted, but two minutes from the end Ballymena celebrated their bonus point win when John Andrew, one of their bench men, touched down.

It was a flattering victory for the Ulster side but they capitalised superbly on the extra man for the ten minutes before Rennison returned to the action.

Elsewhere, Ballynahinch kept hold of top spot in Division 1B with a deserved 17-3 triumph over Bruff at Ballymacarn Park. The damage was done by tries from the in-form back-three combination of Aaron Ferris, Robin Harte and David Nicholson.

It was a doubly disappointing weekend for Buccaneers as fresh from their two-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, they went down 19-14 to Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park.

‘Quins vaulted up to fifth in the table thanks to this victory which was founded on Rory Scholes’ first half try and a very good place-kicking display from young scrum half Michael Heaney. The Ulster prospect finished with 14 points, including two vital penalties in the second half.

Dungannon look menacing in third place having dispatched lowly UCC on a 27-14 scoreline at Stevenson Park. The Tyrone men secured their fourth try-scoring bonus point in six league outings, with Stuart McCloskey, Ali Birch, Chris Cochrane and Conor Gaston all crossing the visitors’ whitewash.

Impressive left winger Cochrane has now scored four tries in this campaign, while UCC salvaged some pride in the second half with a penalty try and a converted score from their number 8 and captain Brian O’Callaghan.

Meanwhile, Galwegians made it back-to-back wins in Division 1B with an excellent 26-13 success at Belfield. UCD, who were Colours winners over Trinity last weekend, trailed 12-6 at the break and full-back Michael Twomey’s try was all they could offer in the second period.

‘Wegians, who are now up to eighth in the table, held dominance in the forward exchanges and their backs certainly showed off their finishing skills.

Winger Barry Lee touched down in either half, new Connacht signing Kyle Tonetti also crossed the whitewash and his centre partner Brian Murphy notched the bonus point score.