Ballymena welcomed Ballynahinch to Eaton Park to kick off their Ulster Rugby Premiership campaigns on a warm August Saturday afternoon. Report and images by Cyril Boyd.

On a hot and muggy day, both teams opened their season with some fast, open play with the home team drawing first blood early on with a try in the corner, by No 14 Jordan Burns, to give Ballymena a 5 – 0 lead.

This spurred the visitors into action and they pressed Ballymena hard until they were awarded a penalty which fullback Pierce Crowe sent between the posts to take the score to 5 – 3.

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