An Andrew Maxwell try scored in the last quarter helped Ballymena secure their first win of the season when they overcame Galwegians at Crowley Park on Saturday.

Galwegians took the lead in the early minutes with a well-worked try from centre Mervyn Murphy who had been given the vital pass by Barry Liddy.

Ballymena came quickly back to score their first try when centre Stanley McDowell made a 40 metre run before he touched down under the posts. Scrumhalf Archie Kettyle converted.

Galwegians had their second try before the end of the first quarter when full back Robbie Lee touched down and Bryan Shelbourne added the points to put the hosts 12-7 ahead.

Ballymena pressure after the break was rewarded when the critical try arrived in the 64th minute as Maxwell cut through the defensive cover to score.

Scoring Sequence: 4 mins: M Murphy try 5-0; 10: S McDowell try, A Kettyle con 5-7; 16: R Lee try, B Shelbourne con 12-7. P McIntosh pen 12-10; 45: B Shelbourne pen 15-10; 64: A Maxwell try, P McIntosh con 15-17; 84: P McIntosh pen 15-20 FT.

GALWEGIANS: R Lee, B Liddy, F McLoughlin, M Murphy, G Brady, J McDonagh, B Shelbourne, A Kershaw, G Flannery, F Farrell, G Heaslip, J Casserly, J Muldoon, B Gavin, J Charlie. Replacements: K Tierney for G Flannery (75 mins), M O'Mahoney for M Murphy (82 mins).

BALLYMENA: S Young, H Swift, S McDowell, G Mitchell, A Maxwell, P McIntosh, A Kettyle, B Young, R Kernaghan, S McConnell, A Graham, M McCullough, D Patrich, D Topping, D Allen. Replacements: A Simpson for D Topping (54 mins), A Gamlin for R Kernaghan (57 mins), B Free for A Kettyle (60 mins), N McKernan for S McConnell (73 mins), M McCumish for D Patrich (79 mins).

Referee: D Keane (Leinster).