Ulster fly-half Paddy Wallace - a former stalwart of Trinity rivals UCD - maarked his first game since October, kicking two penalties and a conversion in new coach Steph Nel's first win.

The Braidmen were dominant in the first half, running in tries through Namibian inside centre Dirkie Strydom and lock Henry Head, with Wallace, recovered from the ankle ligament injury he sustained against Gloucester, converting both and bookending the half with two penalties.

Tony Smeeth's visitors were a much changed side in the second half, at 18-0 down, and reduced arrears to 18-10 before Ulster winger Andrew Maxwell burned their defence for Ballymena's third.

Tries from Jamie Heaslip, skipper Martin Garvey, Matthew Darcy and Simon Mitchell brought the visitors back into contention, but fly-half Keelan McGowan's late game-winning conversion attempt sailed wide.

Scorers:

Ballymena: Tries: Andrew Maxwell, Dirkie Strydom, Henry Head; Con: Paddy Wallace; Pens: Wallace 2

DU: Tries: Jamie Heaslip, Martin Garvey, Matthew Darcy, Simon Mitchell; Con: Keelan McGowan