Rugby

Ulster Bank League: Wins for Ballymena and Bohemians in Division 1B

ULSTER BANK LEAGUE DIVISION 1B

BALLYMENA 15 NAAS 8

Recent Ulster debutant Matthew Rea produced a man-of-the-match performance as Ballymena ran out worthy 15-8 winners over Naas at Eaton Park on Saturday.

Number 8 Rea was part of a strong pack that including fellow provincial players John Andrew, Kieran Treadwell and Stephen Mulholland, while Mark Best and Dave Shanahan both started behind the scrum.

Naas, who edged out Galwegians at home last week, played second fiddle to Ballymena in the first half, with tries from flanker Mulholland and classy centre Best giving Andy Graham's men a 15-3 interval lead in wet conditions.

Out-half Peter Osborne's 29th-minute penalty from Naas' first incursion into Ballymena territory was the visitors' only score until the hour mark. A tremendous break from player-coach Johne Murphy created the opening for full-back Fionn Higgins to touch down out wide with 61 minutes gone.

However, a subsequent leg injury suffered by Higgins held the game up for over half an hour. The teams resumed to play out the final nine minutes, with the Braidmen relatively untroubled in seeing out their second league win of the new season.

BALLYMENA: Rodger McBurney; Jordan Foster, Mark Best, Martin Irwin, Jonny Rosborough; Glenn Baillie, Dave Shanahan; Michael Lagan, John Andrew, Chris Cundell, David Whann, Kieran Treadwell, Connor Smyth, Stephen Mulholland, Matthew Rea. Replacements: Adam McBurney, Adrian Kirkpatrick, Tony McGuinness, Paddy James, John Creighton.


Scorers - Tries: Stephen Mulholland, Mark Best; Con: Mark Best; Pen: Mark Best

NAAS: Fionn Higgins; Rob O'Connor, Johne Murphy, Henry Bryce, Fionn Carr; Peter Osborne, Max Whittingham; Adam Coyle, Charlie Kings, Jason Harney, Paul Monahan, David Benn, Ryan Casey, Will O'Brien, Paulie Tolofua. Replacements: Graham Reynolds, Dan O'Byrne, Eoin Walsh, Warren Larkin, Andrew Shanahan.


Scorers - Try: Fionn Higgins; Pen: Peter Osborne

UL BOHEMIANS 38 BALLYNAHINCH 22

UL Bohemians had another sensational day at the office, running six tries past a highly-rated Ballynahinch side to move two points clear at the top of Division 1B.

Christy Neilan's team claimed their second try-scoring bonus point in as many games with right winger Jamie McNamara scoring two of their impressive haul against 'Hinch, who dropped down from Division 1A last season.

'Hinch certainly missed the influence of Ulster's Sam Windsor and captain Mike Graham, and they were left trailing 18-7 by half-time with McNamara, number 8 Brian Walsh and out-half Robbie Bourke, who kicked a penalty, all touching down on the UL North Campus 4G pitch.

'Hinch's Ireland Under-20 out-half Johnny McPhillips, who lined out for the first time with ex-Trinity scrum half Angus Lloyd, converted debutant winger Oliver Brown's try which came from a McPhillips grubber kick.

The margin was down to 18-14 after Ireland Sevens international Aaron Cairns touched down in the corner from quick turnover ball.

However, once they got back up to a high intensity and accuracy, Bohs pushed on with a second Bourke penalty and a brilliant try from their own 22 by flanker James Ryan.

A subsequent penalty from McPhillips was cancelled out by a Finbar Aherne intercept effort for 31-17 and UL completed their six-try salvo with a second score from McNamara, set up for the second time by influential full-back Joe Murray.

Had 'Hinch been more clinical with ball in hand, they may have claimed a try-scoring bonus point, but try number three did come before the final whistle. Stuart Morrow split the home defence to tee up his centre partner Jordan Grattan in the dying minutes.

UL BOHEMIANS: Joe Murray; Jamie McNamara, Finbar Aherne, Harry Fleming, Cian Aherne; Robbie Bourke, Cathal Sheridan; Philip Poillot, Joe Bennett, Peter King, Ed Kelly, Noel Kinane, James Ryan, Ian Condell (capt), Brian Walsh. Replacements: Joey Conway, David Rowsome, Pat Staff, Daragh Frawley, Rory White.


Scorers - Tries: Jamie McNamara 2, Brian Walsh, Robbie Bourke, James Ryan, Finbar Aherne; Con: Robbie Bourke; Pens: Robbie Bourke 2

BALLYNAHINCH: Ross Carlisle; Steve Macauley, Stuart Morrow, Jordan Grattan, Aaron Cairns; Johnny McPhillips, Angus Lloyd; Craig Trenier, Joe Roe, Jonny Blair, James Simpson, John Donnan, Conor Joyce, Connor Phillips, Lorcan Dow. Replacements: Andrew Harper, Stuart Orr, Keith Dickson, Justin Rea, Oliver Brown.


Scorers - Tries: Steve Macauley, Aaron Cairns, Jordan Grattan; Cons: Johnny McPhillips 2; Pen: Johnny McPhillips