BALLYMENA and Lansdowne rounded off their league campaigns with an entertaining six tries affair at Lansdowne Road on Saturday and the visitors won comfortably enough in the end.

The northern side dominated play from the start but had to wait until the 11th minute for their first score. After Lansdowne were penalised at a ruck in front of the posts, scrumhalf Mark Beattie tapped a quick penalty and moved the ball to number eight Colin Wallace, who lunged over. Derek McAleese added the conversion.

In the 26th minute Lansdowne managed to prevent a rolling maul from making it over the line but the ball was fed out to Sheldon Coulter, who squeezed in for a fine try. McAleese again added the points.

Then Lansdowne struck for two tries in three minutes. Gussy Aherne, shielded by referee Graham Crothers, made the break from 10 metres inside the Ballymena half and sent a neat pass to flanker Jim Sharkey who made more ground. The ball was rerouted quickly and moved at pace along the line for Micky Kearin to score in the right corner.

Three minutes later hooker Mark McDermott led the charge out of defence for Lansdowne and after the forwards had brought play up to halfway, the ball was moved to wing Dara O'Mahony. He made a fine break up the left hand touchline before passing inside to Corrigan, who cantered in to score under the posts.

After Lansdowne were penalised at the line-out, a fine kick by McAleese brought play up to the Lansdowne line. Several raids were repulsed but the visitors' perservance was finally rewarded when McAleese cut inside and got the ball away to Rainey who scored in the corner.