Ballynahinch off to flyer, but still lose out

Ballynahinch off to flyer, but still lose out

30 September 2015

BALLYNAHINCH made the relatively short journey to Castle Avenue to take on the Division 1A table toppers Clontarf in what has become ‘Hinch’s local derby in Ulster Bank League terms.

Ballynahinch started the brighter of the two teams with the experienced pack dominating possession and territory with a significant breeze at their back in the first half. 

The consistent pressure from the ‘Hinch forwards forced a penalty for the visitors on eight minutes, butt Richard Reaney pulled his kick.

Ulster player David Busby crossed the try line after 11 minutes following good driving again by the pack and excellent handling to see the ball move wide to exploit the space. Reaney added the extras, giving Ballynahinch a 7-0 lead.

A further Reaney penalty attempt was successful after 24 minutes and took Derek Suffern’s charges 10-0 up.

Ballynahinch should have gone further ahead before half-time after Busby ran a great line up the middle. However, when the ball was moved wide towards the left wing, the score went begging. 

The home team were living off scraps, but still looked extremely dangerous on the break and Aaron Cairns had to make a last ditch covering tackle on Leinster wing Mick McGrath to save a certain Clontarf try on the stroke of half-time. Half-time: Clontarf 0 Ballynahinch 10.

From the restart, the ‘Hinch pack continued to hold their own as they turned into the wind, but the dangerous home back line were now starting to see more of their own ball and threaten what had been a very resilient visiting defensive line.

Out-half Joey Carbery, missed a penalty on 48 minutes, but made amends two minutes later to make it 10-3 and close the gap to a converted try.

The visitors lost stalwart captain Paul Pritchard to a knee injury after 55 minutes and Clontarf drew level through a well-worked Mick McGrath try, converted by Joey Carberry, on 60 minutes.

Clontarf took the lead soon after as ‘Hinch unnecessarily forced play on the halfway line. Munster centre Matt d’Arcy intercepted a pass and put Mick McGrath in for his second try, which was converted by Carberry, for 17-10 lead for the table toppers.

A speculative kick to the left wing from Carbery minutes later, saw the bounce of the ball go the home side’s way and McGrath bulldozed his way in for his hat-trick try, which was again converted by Carberry. 

A shell-shocked Hinch side, who had dominated play to this point, had to chase the game and after looking certain to score down the left wing, an error led to a Clontarf breakaway try through Rob McGrath, converted by Carberry, to stretch the lead and give the hosts the bonus point try.

Ballynahinch remained resilient and attempted to stop the bleeding with a try by prop Craig Trenier after a series of pick and drives. Reaney converted to make it 31-17.

Clontarf broke away in the dying minutes to score a fifth try through substitute back Michael Brown, again converted by Carberry, and pushed the opportunity of a losing bonus point well out of reach with the time remaining for the visitors.

The final score leaves Ballynahinch bottom of an incredibly competitive league. Derek Suffern will be pleased with the obvious improvement in his side’s performance, but the lack of cutting-edge finishing spoiled some good work up front.

Ballynahinch face fifth-placed Old Belvedere at home this Saturday. Suffern’s charges face a lot of hard work on the training paddock this week and must utilise the home advantage to get some points on the board and lift themselves off the bottom of the table.

It’s early days yet in the league and the marked improvement should give the Ballymacarn faithful hope for the next run of UBL matches.

Ballynahinch RFC (1-15): Ruaidhri Murphy, Jonny Murphy, Craig Trenier, John Donnan, James Simpson, Conor Joyce, Paul Pritchard (captain), Mike Graham, Paul Rowley, Richard Reaney, Aaron Cairns, Will Stewart, Robin Harte, David Busby, Adam Craig. Replacements: Kyle McCall, Andrew Harper, James McBriar, David McIlwaine, Lorcan Dow.