A less than convincing victory for Ballymena

Relief tempered the euphoria at Eaton Park, the vociferous crowd aware that Ballymena's victory was a great deal less convincing than the final scoreline suggested.

Derby warfare tends to minimise gaps between sides and Saturday's Ulster squabble illustrated that tenet for 60 minutes.

Dungannon approached their task with relish, relying on a little good fortune but working exceptionally hard, particularly the back five of their pack.

Charlie Simpson and Keith Walker spoiled Ballymena's lineout, while the second row pairing along with Willie Dunne, Johnny Boyd and Jeremy Hastings were equally effective in attack and defence: they forced the concession of both ground and penalty opportunities of which out-half Ashley Blair availed brilliantly.

Ballymena, in contrast, suffered a catalogue of self-inflicted wounds, often because of a collective insistence of throwing the ball away in the tackle. In previous matches the patience and control of the pack has been a central aspect of victory.

Against Dungannon, a desire to play at a frenetic pace served to aid none but the visitors. Ballymena captain Stephen Ritchie conceded that the team had been a little nervous going into the match. "The nerves were apparent. The media hype locally had been intense and that may have got to some of the players.

"We tended to panic when he got close to their line and I was guilty of that on one occasion. Gradually we learned to cope and to concentrate a little harder. I knew we had to wear them down up front, take the legs from their forwards and that's what we did. It forced that gaps that eventually appeared out wide."

James Topping, having switched to the centre following an injury to Stanley McDowell after 21 minutes, was the player to profit most, scoring one glorious try and making several breaks. Recalled to the national squad this week, Topping is certainly in excellent form, a fact conceded by both coach Nelie Smith and Ritchie.

Ballymena began the game superbly and should have scored a try after two minutes through sheer weight of numbers on a sweeping blindside move but full back Jan Cunningham dithered and the chance went a-begging.

Four turnovers within five metres of the Dungannon line encapsulated the home side's profligacy in the opening 10 minutes.

It wasn't long before Dungannon fully embraced their hosts generosity by creating chances of their own, albeit through Blair's boot whose thundering touch kicks relieved the siege.

The out-half kicked two penalties from 15 and 38 metres to provide the visitors with a tangible reward for their smash and grab tactics. McDowell's injury and Topping's move to the centre, provided the Ballymena backline with greater penetration, one that had been lacking early on.

Hard working Dungannon scrum-half Stephen Bell's innocuous punt was fielded by Innes Gray who threw a long pass inside to Topping.

He in turn gave Andy Park possession 10 metres inside the Ballymena half. Park side-stepped Alaister Hood, jinked past two other would be tacklers in racing 55 metres for a wonderful try. McAleese failed to convert.

The home support roared expectantly but it was Dungannon who managed the final score of the half through Blair's superbly struck 40 metre penalty. Ballymena coach Nelie Smith explained his interval team talk. "I told them to improve their discipline, no penalties. We also spoke of raising individual performances. I told them that they had to play to win rather than expect to."

Despite Blair's fourth penalty, Ballymena generally's heeded Smith's direction and in a two minute spell had wrested the initiative through a McAleese penalty and try from Topping, the product of a lovely outside break: the out-half added the extra points.

Ballymena assumed control up front, thereby assisting further tries from number eight Keith Gallick and prop Rab Irwin, the first of which McAleese managed to convert.

Victory rather than performance levels was enough to satisfy Smith on Saturday but he may not be as understanding at midweek training sessions. As he correctly pointed out the essence of a good side is one that can win even though they aren't playing to maximum capability. Shannon will empathise with that statement.

Ballymena's trip to Limerick at the end of the month will reveal more about their championship credentials but for now they appear Shannon's most genuine challengers.