ULSTER side Ballymena registered a convincing win over UCD at Belfield yesterday.

The students struck first after 10 minutes when Sean O Brien went over for a try, converted by centre Fergus McFadden. Five minutes later UCD completed their scoring when Ian Keatley slotted over a drop goal.

On the half hour, Ballymena got their first score when Tom Court went over for a try converted by fullback Dirkie Strydom. A try from David Drake sent them in leading 14-10 at the break and they took over completely after that, with further tries from Jacques Steenkamp, Jamie McGruggan, Strydom and Andy Maxwell.

UCD D Nyhal, M Hickey-Crowe, F McFadden, M Hastings, K Nett, I Keatley, D O Neill, JA Lee, C Geoghegan, (capt) B McGovern, C McInerney, R Mandeno, K Croke, G Murphy, S O Brien Subs M Fanning for Nyhan (52), G Moran for Lee (72), C Doyle for Mandeno (72) BALLYMENA D Strydom, P Budina, J Burgess, J McGruggan, A Maxwell, S Young D Drake. J Steenkamp, M Harshaw, T Court, I Caldwell, R Young (capt), A Graham, G Moore, C Henry Subs S Shawe for Court, (half time), S Douglas for Harshaw (65), D Best for Young (72), C Smith for Burgess (72), R Connor for Drake (72) Referee G Clancy (IRFU)