On a bright Saturday afternoon at Eaton Park, Ballymena 2nd XV hosted Ballyclare in the Towns Cup.

The tie started with action at both ends of the park in the first 5 minutes, but the next 10 saw Ballyclare enjoy most of the play.

The visitors turned down a chance for a kick at the posts for a punt to the corner. A decision which reaped rewards when the impetus from the lineout saw Luke McIlwrath go over for Ballyclare’s first score of the afternoon. 0-5

From the restart Ballymena were on the front foot, but some good defensive work from Ballyclare kept them largely out of the 22. The next few minutes saw more of the . . .