A MAGNIFICENT individual haul of 28 points from centre Ben Martin helped high-flying Bohemians secure a deserved victory over Ballymena. Aussie-born Martin crossed for two tries and landed a further 18 points with the boot as Bohs? secured their sixth straight win in the league. However, last year's Division Two champions will feel disappointed to have missed out on a bonus point.

When winger Martin McPhail crossed for the third try of the game, there were still 17 minutes remaining in the contest. But the Limerick side failed to break down the stubborn Ballymena defence again in those closing minutes.

Ballymena did threaten a comeback in the third quarter when the visitors reduced the margin to just five points, 19-14. However, Martin's second try of the game when he beat the Ballymena cover with a neat chip ahead, helped put the home side back in the driving seat.

Bohemians, fifth before the game began, withstood a bright start from the Paddy Wallace-inspired Ballymena, before taking control of the game.

Martin followed up his sixth minute penalty with a smashing individual try on 15th minutes. A conversion and three penalty goals from the prolific centre helped the home side into a 19-0 lead.

Ballymena's sole response of the half was a try from Strydom in the 35th minute, which Wallace converted. An intercept try from replacement Peter Budina soon after the restart helped the Ulster side back in contention.

However, touchdowns from Martin and McPhail in the third quarter secured a fourpoint haul for the home side.

BALLYMENA D Strydom; J McGruggan, S Young, S Stewart, J Semple; P Wallace, P Spence; A Kirkpatrick, P Shields, S Shawe, I Caldwell, H Head, A Graham, A Saunderson, R Young Subs P Budina for Stewart, 19 mins; N Greenan for Graham, 56 mins; A Ferguson and I Campbell for Shawe and Shields, both 70 mins; D O'Hara for P Spence, 78 mins

UL BOHEMIAN C Garvey; M McPhail, B Martin, C Finn, M Butler; F Lawlor, C Delooze; K Flanagan, G Ryan, M Storey, B Madigan, A Hartigan, R Hartigan, J E O?Connor, A O?Gorman Subs M Harty for Flanagan, 60 mins; J O'Neill for O'Gorman, 71 mins; C Parkes for G Ryan, 72 mins; A O'Boyle for Butler, 76 mins; D Farrell for Delooze, 79 mins Referee A Rogan (Leinster)