Ulster Bank League: Division 1B Previews - Ballymena vs Galwegians

BALLYMENA 14 GALWEGIANS 13, Eaton Park


Galwegians failed to capitalise on the sin-binning of former Ireland international Bryan Young as Ballymena prevailed 14-13 in a tense finish at Eaton Park.

Veteran prop Young saw yellow for an illegal tackle midway through the final quarter, however 'Wegians were unable to force a winning score and they had to be content with a losing bonus point.

Three well-struck penalties from Ritchie McMaster gave Ballymena the early advantage, the hosts using a strong wind to good effect as they looked to end their three-match winless run.

The visitors, whose pack was book-ended by Connacht's Dominic Robertson-McCoy and Eoghan Masterson, dominated possession and territory in the second half despite the best efforts of Ulster's Clive Ross. He was the pick of the back rowers on show and the obvious choice as man-of-the-match.

November's meeting had gone right down to the wire with the Braidmen winning 35-34 out west, and young hooker Adam McBurney's unconverted try from a rare breakout proved to be just enough this time around.

A neatly-finished seven-pointer by recent Connacht debutant Ciaran Gaffney, who covered a lot of ground from full-back, supplemented two earlier penalties from Morgan Codyre to set up a grandstand finish.

However, just when the Galway outfit seemed set to pinch the points from Ballymena's grasp, their familiar failings from a frustrating 2016/17 campaign saw them miss out on a first victory in three rounds.