TERENURE discovered that the season of goodwill has arrived early in Ballymena. When they ventured into Eaton Park on Saturday to open their league campaign, the Dublin side did so with some trepidation given Ballymena's formidable home record, but in the event, Ballymena were generous to a fault.

The home team expertly shot themselves in the foot in the first half and then found recuperation well beyond their compass in the second.

Not that Terenure relied solely on the hospitality of their hosts. The visiting team's pack operated as a well organised, disciplined unit and their backs were fast and enterprising.

After just seven minutes Terenure full back Ciaran Clarke burst into the line and scorched in for a try the perfect response to the Ricky McIlmoyle penalty that hag put Ballymena in front four minutes earlier.

Peter Walsh glided through non existent tackling to grab the visitors second try in the 12th minute. Walsh also landed the conversion.

Four minutes later Terenure winger, David Coleman snapped up an interception and sprinted the length of the pitch to hurl himself him over for the visiting side's third try, with Walsh adding the conversion.

Ballymena, now 3-19 down, tightened op, and McIlmoyle added two penalties and Derek McAleese a further penalty and a drop goal to leave Ballymena trailing 15-19 at half time.

With four minutes of the second half gone Terenure stretched their lead when Walsh landed a penalty which proved to be the only score of the second half.

Ballymena launched a series of attacks, but the visitors held firm, rucking and mauling efficiently and denying Ballymena time and space in which to operate.