SHANNON showed their championship qualities when they gained the better of Ballymena in a hardfought game at Eaton Park.

Ballymena, who finished mid-table last season had been hoping for a better start but as it was they were outplayed although they did fight back towards the close.

Their new coach Jacques Benade was expecting a better performance and his agitation on the touchline showed his disappointment with the performance.

Ballymena started strongly and dominated the first 10 minutes and must have thought their task was going to be easier than expected.

They were rewarded with a Dirkie Strydom penalty but, following this, Shannon started to play better rugby.

Gradually they upped their game a couple of notches and Ballymena were soon in trouble. The southern side went in front with a Frank Roche try and Andrew Thompson converted to bring his AIL points tally in excess of 1,000.

At this stage, Shannon were winning the better ball and their threequarters were showing their speed and determination. Every time they gained possession they looked dangerous and attacked, which paid dividends by gaining plenty of territory.

Thompson, who had an excellent game, kicked a penalty to put them 10-3 in front and then another passing move which involved at least seven players culminated in David O'Donovan crossing for another try which Thompson converted to put the southern team 173 in front.

On the stroke of half-time, Ballymena managed to reduce the arrears to 6-17 when scrum-half David Drake dropped a goal.

Ballymena, with six victories out of seven in the First Trust Ulster league, were finding it difficult to handle their superior opponents and their defence was faltering.

The Eaton Park side, who lost a couple of key players during the close season, picked their game up after the restart and had the better of the second half. Craig Woods further narrowed the gap when he managed to engineer an excellent try in the right-hand corner and Ballymena continued to have the better of the exchanges but squandered their scoring opportunities.

Strydom missed two penalty opportunities before the southern side struck back with another try which virtually ended the contest.

David Quagley went in for the final try in injury time to cap a good performance by the visitors.

Ballymena had their chances and should have at least gained a bonus point but alas this defeat will do little for their confidence as they face Garryowen and Buccaneers in the next couple of weeks.

BALLYMENA A Kirkpatrick; M Hershan, S Shawe, I Caldwell, R Young; A Graham, G Moore; C Henry, D Drake, P Campbell, P Budina, J McGrugan, D Strydom, J Topping, C Smither SHANNON D O'Donovan, M Tuhy, J Coughlan, A Finn, S Kelly, A Thompson, F McNamara, D Quinlan, C McMahon, A Meaney, F Welsh, D Ryan, T Buckley, S Cronin, F Roche Referee D Dowd (IRFU)