Naas climb to third thanks to comeback win as they grab bonus point against Ballymena

Naas 40

Ulster Bank AIL Division 1B round 17

Naas overcame a sluggish first half display to secure a bonus point win over Ballymena and climb up to third in the Ulster Bank AIL Division 1B on Saturday afternoon.

Hosting the Antrim club in a sunny Forenaughts, the home side went down 10-0 inside the opening half as Ballymena began well, but a Peter Howard try just before half-time helped kick Naas into gear and there was no turning back once they got up a head of steam.

Ben Swindlehurst's try was converted by scrumhalf and recently capped Irish club international Peter Osborne within two minutes of the restart as the hosts hit the front for the first time, and when Conor Doyle crossed for his first ever AIL try eight minutes later they were never going to be caught.

Howard dotted over for his second try of the afternoon when he intercepted a pass, and Osborne tagged on the additional two points, before Fionn Higgins put the contest to bed with another try on 65 minutes while also securing a bonus point for the Kildare club. The same player crossed over once again before full-time, which stretched the lead to 25 points.

The win ensured that Naas leapfrog Old Wesley into third place, but the Dublin side sit just two points behind them and travel to bottom of the table Dolphin tomorrow. Naas travel to Galwegians in their final round game next Saturday.