Ballymena RFC Notes: I XV Ballymena lose narrowly at home….

Buccaneers played with the strong breeze that was blowing straight down the Eaton Park pitch and dominated first half territory. A combination of mistakes by the visiotrs and a dermined defensive effort by the home side kept the half time score down to 10-0. When Niall Martin kicked two penalties, the first win of the campaign looked possible. But a loose kick upfield which fell into the hand of a Buccs player allowed them to counter attack and score a converted try, opening up a 17-6 lead. When Ballymena were awarded a five metre scrum,they drove the Buccs scrum off the ball and were awarded a penalty try, converted by Martin. The game still seemed winnable, but despite the determined running of John Burns, Ballymena had to be content with a losing bonus point.