Ballymena 35pts, Trinity 24pts. 26th September

Trinity took the trip north to the heart of Ulster rugby. Ballymena lay in waiting with a star studded Ulster professional laden team.

The guys must have thought it was Christmas the way the game started. Trinity fumbled a kick off into them and Ballymena ran through and scored in 25 seconds! Matters were made worse when the students gifted an interception to be two tries down in no time.

Trinity actually dominated possession and position for most of the first half, but failed to put away a couple of opportunities. Against a team like Ballymena you have to score when you get the opportunities.

Ballymena scored one more try and then scrum half Angus Lloyd scored a wonder try to put the students back in the game 20-5.

In the second half Trinity continued to attack, but errors crept into their game as they continuously gave their hosts easy position and points.

The game wore on and it looked like Ballymena would win out 35-5, but true to form, Trinity found some energy and form and scored three tries in the last ten minutes to make the score look respectable.

Paddy Lavelle made a great break up the middle and after a quick recycle, stand in out half Conor Kearns saw a gap in the defence to run in under the posts.

This was followed by more pressure, when from a line out on the line, the forwards drove for the line, the ball was moved wide and Paddy Lavelle ran in a score into the corner.

In the last minute Trinity broke through again and wing Tim Maupin broke free to score a most unlikely bonus point try for four tries.

15 Conor Kearns, 14 Tim Maupin, 13 Michael Courtney, 12 Paddy Lavelle, 11 Max McFarland, 10 Tommy Whittle, 9 Angus Lloyd, 1 Eric O’Sullivan, 2 Jack Boland, 3 Andy Keating, 4 Jack Burke, 5 Conor Gleeson, 6 Dermot O’Flynn, 7 Brian Du Toit, 8 Tom Ryan

 

Other results;

 

Senor 2nd XV beat Wanderers 52 – 20

Senior 3rd XV lost to Naas 5 – 38

Senior 4th XV beat Bective 28-3

 

U20 Premier beat Corinthians 82 – 0