St Mary's coach Brent Pope didn't know whether to smile or grimace, so he opted for a deadpan expression as he reviewed his side's fifth successive victory, just one short of the club record in the AIB League Division One.
A minor irritation for Pope was for the fifth time this season, by his reckoning, St Mary's scored three tries yet could not add the fourth that would have given them a valuable bonus point. The home side had crossed the Ballymena line three times by the 32nd minute of the first half, yet the only other addition to their tally was a penalty from centre Mark McHugh just before the interval: they did not score a point in the second half.
Yet despite his frustration, the St Mary's coach acknowledged his side had played some of their best rugby this season, and this without Victor Costello, Malcolm O'Kelly, Gareth Gannon and Emmet Byrne, who watched from the terracing. A young back five performed very capably on the day, not least second-row Eoin Keane and promising 19-year-old openside Shane Jennings.
But it was the "veteran" Trevor Brennan who enjoyed the biggest influence on proceedings. He had a magnificent match, his thumping tackling rattled a few teeth and forced his victims into a quick rib count when the dust had settled; two thunderous hits and the resulting turnovers pre-empted the St Mary's tries.
Brennan's aggressive defence has always been celebrated but on Saturday, he chose his moments for the big intervention and his discipline was rock solid. Pope ventured: "If there is a better defensive player than Trevor in Ireland, I'll eat my hat." He settled for the post-match chicken curry. The inspirational flanker was also a willing and effective ball carrier, a role he shared with tighthead Dave Clare, another to shine.
Behind the scrum, Eddie Hekenui, is blossoming at Templeville Road and more comfortable in his surroundings, has been infused by the confidence to trust his ability. He scored one try, helped create another and his option-taking and strength in defence offered a pretty compelling all-round package. Others are beginning to emerge from below-par seasons.
Peter McKenna, playing at outside centre and no longer hampered by a back problem, enjoyed his best game of the season by a distance and might have had three tries: John McWeeney, looking a little work shy since his return from injury occupied a more central role.
Ballymena's curate's egg of an afternoon will have been frustrating for coach Andre Bester. They boasted the superior scrum, a sound lineout and in Rhys Botha, the most creative player on display, yet despite matching the home side's three tries, they couldn't control the ball for long enough periods. Shane Stewart's injury-time try, converted by Doak earned them a merited bonus point, for their contribution to an entertaining game.
Number eight Russell Nelson had a fine game, Gary Longwell worked hard but it was through Botha, and to a lesser extent Ajay Derwin, that they appeared most threatening. To make the play-offs, their execution having breached the initial defensive line, will have to be more ruthless and less sporadic.
St Mary's led 22-7 after 32 minutes, full-back Daragh Hughes grabbing the first try following good hands by Hekenui and McKenna. A Brennan hit on Nelson forced a turnover, Peter Smyth set up the ruck and Hekenui showed good strength to wriggle out of two tackles. Shane Jennings grabbed the third after an overthrow on a Ballymena lineout inside the visitors 22. Mark McHugh kicked two conversions and two penalties.
Ballymena grabbed a brace of tries before the interval, the first a penalty try and the second through James Topping, Stanley McDowell the architect. The second half continued a decent contest with Stewart's late intervention a welcome break for Ballymena.
Scoring sequence: 4 mins: Hughes try, 5-0; 14 mins: penalty try, Doak conversion, 5-7; 17 mins: Hekenui try, McHugh conversion, 12-7; 21 mins: McHugh penalty, 15-7; 32 mins: S Jennings try, McHugh conversion, 22-7; 36 mins: Topping try, Doak conversion, 22-14; 40 mins: McHugh penalty, 25-14. Half-time: 2514. 80 mins: Stewart try, Doak conversion, 2521.
St Mary's College: D Hughes; D Hickie, P McKenna, M McHugh, J McWeeney; E Hekenui, E McCormack; P Tucker, P Smyth (capt), D Clare, E Keane, D Griffin, T Brennan, K Jennings, S Jennings. Replacements: P Lynch for McCormack (74 mins). Yellow card: K Jennings, 29-39 mins.
Ballymena: S Young; S McDowell, S Stewart, R Botha, J Topping; A Derwin, N Doak; N McKernan, P Shields, G Cully, G Longwell, C Beukes, A Graham, R Nelson, J Taggart. Replacements: B Young for McKernan (62 mins); A Dougan for Taggart (62 mins); D O'Kane for Beukes (62 mins); W McAllister for Cully (67 mins); A Maxwell for Young (75 mins).
Referee: L Mayne (Munster).
