The Ulster Ravens (sponsored by CD Group) finished their season with a narrow defeat to Munster A at Naas RFC.
The high-scoring match saw the lead change hands several times before two late tries from Munster substitute Olly Lyons secured the win for Mick O’Driscoll’s team.
The Ravens dominated territory and possession in the early exchanges however, it was Munster A who got the first points of the game, on 22 minutes.
Openside, Conor Oliver, who was making his debut in a Munster shirt, bust through a gap to get the try. Tyler Bleyendaal, who was also making his first appearance for the province, having recovered from injury, pushed the conversion wide.
It got worse for the Ravens just three minutes later when centre Johne Murphy got in for Munster’s second try. The conversion was wide again but Munster had a ten-point lead.
Michael Heaney then kicked two penalties in quick succession to close the gap to four points. His second was from the half way line and was the start of what was to be an excellent afternoon with the boot for the versatile back.
However, just as it looked like the Ravens were establishing a foothold in the game, Munster A scored again. Luke O’Dea ran in in the corner after the ball was shipped wide at speed.
This time Bleyendaal did get the extras and Ulster were 11 points down approaching half time but just before the interval the Ravens got their first try of the game. After great ball from a lineout, the Ravens forwards formed a quick maul and they had the strength to drive over the Munster A line. Kyle McCall grounded it, Heaney kicked the conversion and it was Ravens 13 Munster A 17 at half time.
HALF TIME RAVENS 13 MUNSTER A 17
It got even better for the Ravens after the interval when Peter Nelson reacted quickest after a Michael Heaney crossfield kick was spilled by the Munster A defence and he grounded for the try.
Heaney again added the extras and the Ravens were into the lead for the first time in the game.
It was to be short-lived as Munster scored a breakaway try and then got a good score in the corner from replacement winger Olly Lyons.
Ballymena’s Stephen Mulholland did get a great try in the closing stages as he cut a great line through the Munster defence but Lyons’ second try in five minutes sealed the win for Munster.
Ravens P Nelson, M Allen, M Best, S Arnold, M Hooks, M Heaney, D Shanahan K McCall, J Andrew, R Lutton, J Donnan L Stevenson (Captain), C Joyce, C Ross, L Dow.
Replacements: P Jackson, R Murphy, A Thompson, N McComb, F Taggart, S Reidy, S Mulholland, C Young, K Joyce, A Lidell, P Dunlop
Munster A: Johne Murphy; Darren Sweetnam, David Johnston, Dan Goggin, Luke O'Dea; Tyler Bleyendaal, Cathal Sheridan; Liam O'Connor, Niall Scannell, Peter McCabe; John Madigan, Frank Bradshaw Ryan; Dave O'Callaghan, Conor Oliver, Jack O'Donoghue - capt.
Replacements: Luke O'Halloran (Young Munster), Niall Horan (Academy), JP Phelan (UCD), Lee Nicholas (Shannon), Diarmaid Dee (Young Munster), Olly Lyons (Exiles), Neil Cronin (Garryowen), Gearoid Lyons (Academy), Robbie Deegan (Shannon), Alex Wootton (Academy), Diarmuid McCarthy (Young Munster).