On Saturday morning RBAI hosted Ballymena Academy at a misty Osborne Park, in a Schools Friendly.

Report and images by Bob Given Photography

In the 1^st half both teams were cagey, sounding each other out, and though there were flashes of fast open play, defenses were on top.

Inst took the lead after 23 minutes, when James Hillman scored an unconverted try in the corner.

Ballymena responded close to halftime, when fastball after a series of rucks allowed an overlap for Daniel Thompson to score in the corner. A fine touchline conversion by Alex McBurney gave Ballymena a halftime lead 7-5.

The 2^nd half was barely a minute old, when Conor McGrath scored from close range, for a try, converted by Josh Eagleson to restore Inst’s lead 12-7.

A Bryn Ward try, converted by Eagleson, gave Inst breathing space at 19-7.

However an attack from long range saw Conor Drain claim a try for Ballymena, converted by McBurney, to reduce the gap to 19-14.

Ballymena gave Inst an uncomfortable few minutes but they held on for a 19-14 victory at by then a sunny Osborne Park.

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