The visitors started off with fast running play without any end result and Ballymena began to come more into the game.

Ballymena’s Pierce Crowe sprinted clear to score a fine breakaway try, ably converted by Ross McKay. This was followed late in the half by a driving forward’s try from Adam Lamont, again converted by McKay.

Old Crescent took advantage of some Ballymena indiscipline to notch two penalties in the half, converted by No 10, McKenna to give a half time score of 14 – 6 in Ballymena’s favour.

Second Half was more of an even contest with an early penalty scored by McKay for Ballymena, a try in the far corner by Ballymena’s Roger McBurney was followed by a breakaway try, from Old Crescent’s Monaghan, which was not converted.

Midway through the half, David Whann went over for a try to the home side, converted by McKay, but Old Crescent were not finished and strong pressure led to two late tries, both by Hardiman and both converted by McKenna, the last try being right on the final whistle to give a final score of Ballymena 29 Old Crescent 23.

Stirring stuff!

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