Ballymena were looking to continue winning run at home to Bohs and retain the trophy.
The home side made the worst possible start conceding 17 points in the opening period of the game. All of the initial pressure came from the visitors and the capitalized with two tries and a penalty for a 17-0 lead.
Ballymena made their first contribution to the game with their first sustained period of possession. with the ball being spread to Rhys Ervine who beat the covering Defence to score out wide.
Bohemians responded immediately cancelling out the home side’s try with an immediate seven pointer. It was a half in which Ballymena showed little promise and struggled to gain any foothold in the game.
With the halftime score at 24-5 a victory for the visitors seemed to be on the cards.
A stern halftime talking to from coach Andy Hughes along with the introduction of some replacements, hoped to turn the tide.
Powerful winger, Curtis Henry took matters into his own hands with two tries in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, giving renewed hope to the Ballymena crowd and brought the scores to within a converted try at 24-17.
Hooker Mark Lamont continued his try scoring form, scoring from the back of a lineout maul to complete the comeback, with a Sam Millar conversion leveling the scores at 24 apiece.
Bohs were not content to let Ballymena have it all their own way and the right winger, who had been a danger all afternoon, took advantage of some poor defence to regain their lead against the run of play. Bohs led 31-24 going into the final quarter.
At this stage, experienced centre Callum Patterson had entered the fray, after work commitments had prevented him from starting the game. Only minutes after his arrival and after a multi phase move, Patterson powered over the line, taking several defenders with him. Sam Millar slotted a difficult conversion from out wide to level the scores again at 31- 31.
Club stalwart Millar, who was making his final appearance before moving to Australia kicked what proved to be the winning penalty to put Ballymena ahead for the first time in the game at 34-31.
Bohemians had a final attempt to level the scores in the closing moments however the penalty attempt drifted wide. Ballymena held on for victory, completing a remarkable comeback after an entirely forgettable first half.
Andrew Ferguson was presented with the trophy, named after his father in what could be his last appearance against UL Bohemian RFC.
20 S Millar
