Bonus Point Return For Blackrock

Blackrock College pushed further clear of relegation trouble in Division 1B by seeing off bottom side Ballymena 32-17 at Eaton Park.

Blackrock took an early lead with a McKeever penalty, and ten minutes later the same player converted a try to give his team a 10-0 lead.

Ballymena reduced the gap with an unconverted Connor Smyth try, only to see the gap extended with another converted Blackrock try and a penalty, leaving the half-time score 20-5.

A resurgent Ballymena side took the game to their opponents in the second half, and the dominant Ballymena pack was instrumental in two second half tries, one a penalty try after a series of scrums and the second a powerful dorward drive, with Adrian Hamilton getting the touch down.

With the score at 27-17 a comeback looked possible, but in the closing moments, when Connor Smyth was yellow carded, Blackrock took advantage and drove over for a try to make the final score 32-19.

Another defeat for the Braidmen, but a display of real heart, intensity and no little skill.

Referee: Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU)