Sport

Pirates scuttled by Ballymena

Buccaneers lost any chance of emulating last year's success when coming unstuck in Ericsson Park to a convincing Ballymena.

Mon Mar 27 2000 - 01:00

Buccaneers lost any chance of emulating last year's success when coming unstuck in Ericsson Park to a convincing Ballymena.

Two trys in the space of two minutes by centre Shane Stewart before half-time gave Ballymena a 10-21 lead going into the second half. And although Buccaneers fought back to within four points, another brace by Mark Blair sealed the issue well before the full-time whistle.

Ballymena took the lead after eight minutes when Rhys Botha was sent through by Simon Broughton, with full back Simon Mason converting. But when Ballymena wing Stanley McDowell failed to control a clever kick from centre Owen Cobbe, Buccaneers full back Robbie Lee took advantage, scoring in the 18th minute. Outhalf Simon Allnutt converted and added a penalty.

Stewart managed a try on 37 minutes and two minutes later from the re-start, Botha attacked from inside his own half with Stewart finishing off under the posts. Buccaneers came within four points when Martin Cahill scored from a well-worked penalty move, but then Blair pounced.

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Scoring sequence: 8 mins: R Botha try, S Mason conversion 0-7; 18: R Lee try, S Allnutt conversion 7-7; 25: Allnutt penalty 10-7; 37: S Stewart try, Mason conversion 10-14; 39: Stewart try, Mason conversion 10-21; 44: Allnutt penalty 13-21; 48: Mason penalty 13-24; 62: Cahill try, Allnutt conversion 20-24; 70: Blair try, Mason conversion 20-31; 74: Blair try, Mason conversion 2038; 77: Mason penalty 20-41; 78: Devine try 25-41.

BUCCANNEERS: R Lee; M Devine, O Cobbe, M Deane, C Kilroy; S Allnutt, S McIvor; J Maher, N Rusk, M Cahill, G Webster, C Rigney, D Rigney, D Lavin, M Steffert. Replacements: J Screene for Maher; J McVeigh for Rusk (42 mins); R Keady for Cahill (71 mins).

BALLYMENA: S Mason; J Park, S Stewart, R Botha, S McDowell; S Broughton, M Edwards; N McKernan, A Stewart, C Millar, M Blair, G Longwell, A Graham, C McCarey, D O Cuinneagain. Replacements: W McAllister for Millar (63 mins); A Dougan for Graham (67 mins); D Topping for McCarey (67 mins); J Wells for Park (73 mins).

Referee: M Whyte (Leinster).