Clontarf started the game at breakneck speed and were 12-0 up after 16 minutes with tries by hooker Bernard Jackman and centre James Downey.

Three first half penalties by Strydom reduced the gap to 9-12 at the break.

Strydom continued to dazzle in the second half when he leveled the scores and then put his side ahead with two more excellent kicks.

Centre Darragh O'Shea claimed a penalty for Clontarf but sublime Ian Humphreys drop-kick and another Strydom penalty handed a well-deserved victory to Ballymena.