Ulster Bank League: Ballymena 24 Dolphin 16
CENTRE James Beattie crossed for two tries in a man-of-the-match display as Ballymena came from behind to defeat Dolphin 24-16 in the Ulster Bank League Division 1B at Eaton Park.
Having lost their way at UCC last week, Ballymena were determined not to lose to Cork opposition for the second week running. But without their Ulster A-tied players, including top scorer Mark Best, the Braid men had to battle back from a 9-0 interval deficit.
Buoyed by their home win over Galwegians, Dolphin were good value for that nine-point advantage as lynchpin out-half Barry Keeshan converted three first-half penalty opportunities. Their dominant form deserved a try, but the hosts scrambled well to keep their line intact.
It was Beattie's opening try, three minutes into the second period, that lifted the intensity for Ballymena. Glenn Baillie converted and also added the extras from the touchline to Beattie's second effort, as the latter's midfield partnership with captain Marty Irwin grew in influence.
The Ulster club's lead was short-lived, though, as Dolphin number eight and captain Ryan Murphy muscled over from a lineout drive and the excellent Keeshan put David Corkery's side back in front at 16-14.
Crucially, Ballymena full-back Rodger McBurney then stepped up to the mark, using his power and pace to run in a tremendous solo try with four minutes remaining. Baillie converted and, with Dolphin
leaking a penalty in front of the posts in the second minute of injury-time, a closing penalty from the Ballymena number 10 took the losing bonus point away from them.
MATCH STATS
Ballymena: R McBurney; J Foster, J Beattie, M Irwin (capt), J Rosborough; G Baillie, J Creighton; B Young, J Taggart, C Cundell, D Whann, C Smyth, M Foster, T McGuinness, J Gallagher; Replacements: A Kirkpatrick, A Ferguson, J Thompson, M Norris, I Vance; Scorers: J Beattie (2), R McBurney; Cons: G Baillie (3); Pen: G Baillie
Dolphin: C O'Shaughnessy; G Ryan, C McGovern, S Kennedy, W Hanley; B Keeshan, K O'Keeffe; J Rochford, C O'Flynn, L Walsh, D O'Mahony, B Fitzgerald, K Keogh, K Allen, R Murphy (capt); Replacements: R O'Herlihy, L Coughlan, C Scott, A Mason, I O'Donoghue, D Foley; Scorers: Try: R Murphy; Con: R Murphy; Pens: B Keeshan (3)
Old Wesley 35 Ballynahinch 32
ANOTHER free-scoring contest at Donnybrook, where Old Wesley and Ballynahinch shared eight tries and two closing penalties from Wesley winger Barry McLaughlin proved decisive.
Out-half James McBriar's second try of the afternoon moved 'Hinch ahead for the first time at 32-29, before McLaughlin split the posts twice in quick succession to complete his all-important 15-point
contribution from the tee.
Prop Ken Knaggs had a big influence too in those defining final minutes, forcing the ruck penalty, which McLaughlin turned into the winning score and claiming a relieving turnover just before the final whistle.
This was a very entertaining clash and the sides tore into each other right from the off, Wesley lock Mark Robinson finishing off good work by Ian Cassidy and Rory Stynes for the opening try. The Dubliners led 17-13 at half-time, centre Ger Finucane getting over for their second touchdown and Steve Macauley adding a conversion and two penalties to 'Hinch's try from blindside Andrew Harper.
Wesley resumed on the attack with loosehead Knaggs stepping in at centre to provide a memorable assist for Finucane's second try. McLaughlin converted for 24-13 and 'Hinch, despite some dogged
defending, were now struggling to stay in touch.
The county Down side's classy inside centre Stuart Morrow then stepped up to the mark, using a quick tap to break from halfway and pass for McBriar to claim an encouraging seven-pointer. A really well taken try from Wesley flanker Stephen Boyle, who fended off Davy Nicholson's challenge, kept the hosts on course, but back-to-back efforts from Jordan Grattan and McBriar, with Morrow again heavily involved, saw 'Hinch nip in front with 15 minutes remaining.
Wesley held their nerve, though, to capitalise on 'Hinch's second sin-binning as McLaughlin's accurate kicks saw the visitors overhauled. Their third win has Morgan Lennon's men up to fourth in the table, two points ahead of 'Hinch.
MATCH STATS
Old Wesley: R Stynes; B McLaughlin, I Leota, G Finucane, A Jeffares; T Clifford, I Cassidy; K Knaggs, D Rowley, J Burton, A Browne, M Robinson, D Horan (capt), S Boyle, M Rowley; Replacements: C Telford, D Henshaw, J O'Sullivan, M Bursey, W Deverell; Scorers:Tries: M Robinson, G Finucane (2), S Boyle; Cons: B McLaughlin (3); Pens: B McLaughlin (3)
Ballynahinch: S Macauley; D Nicholson (capt), S Morrow, J Grattan, C Quinn; R Carlisle, C Gibson; K Hamilton, J Murphy, S Orr, J Simpson, K Morton, A Harper, B Pentland, K Dickson; Replacements: J Blair, J Roe, S Evans, J McBriar, J Rea; Scorers:Tries: A Harper, J McBriar (2), J Grattan; Cons: S Macauley, J McBriar (2); Pens: S Macauley (2)
