It is three defeats on the trot for Ballymena who lost to table toppers St. Mary's last time out. Andy Graham's men remain in third place, but are now seven points behind Dublin University with four rounds remaining. There was nothing between the sides at half-time in Stradbrook, with Blackrock turning around level-pegging - 13-13 - thanks to John Burke's converted try and two Jack O'Carroll penalties. Ballymena, who had a penalty try and eight points from the boot of Ritchie McMaster, would have expected to push on in the second period, especially with the Ulster-capped Dave Shanahan andStephen Mulholland both starting. However, the visitors were held scoreless during the closing 40 minutes as second row Burke's second try of the afternoon guided 'Rock to their first win in four league matches.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: Hugo Harbinson; David Rowan, Sean Coughlan, Steve Lawton, Hugo Godson Treacy; Peter Quirke, Jack O'Carroll; Mark O'Brien, Tom Cooke, James Harrison, Owen Cullen, John Burke, Peter McCague, Sam Cooke, Gary Fenn (capt). Replacements: Gavin Bolger, Ryan Fisher, Dave Walsh, Luke Hickey, David Scott-Lennon