‘Hinch collect derby plaudits

‘Hinch collect derby plaudits

13 September 2017

BALLYNAHINCH claimed the bragging rights when they beat neighbours Banbridge at a  bright and blustery Ballymacarn Park on Saturday.

It was not long before the early Banbridge pressure paid off when winger Adam Ervine received a well-worked ball wide on the left to cross the whitewash after some front foot forwards 

play.  Ian Porter struggled with the windy conditions and the extras were missed.

The early score from the visitors galvanised ‘Hinch and they went after the ball from the kick-off, turning over the Banbridge kick-off catch and attacking deep into the Banbridge 22. 

After a couple of phases of attacking work by the ‘Hinch forwards, Aaron Cairns moved the ball wide to out half Jonny McPhilips and on through the backs to the supporting Jonny Simpson, who was the extra man wide and he dotted down on the left.

McPhilips completed the conversion to give the home side a 7-5 lead after eight minutes.

The Ballymacarn side now started to take the game to the visitors through fast back attacks, well supported by the hard working ‘Hinch back row of Keith Dickson, Connor Phillips and Matt McKelvey. 

Banbridge also benefited from the incisive runs of Ulster full back Rob Lyttle, who was also deft with the boot to keep Brian McLaughlin’s charges on the back foot throughout the first period, but ‘Hinch were able to counter each time they had the ball in hand.

On the blow of half-time, Ulster’s David Busby made a breakthrough on the left, having come in off his right wing. He offloaded to debutant 19 year-old Zac Ward, son of former Irish International Andy Ward, who handed off the defending Rob Lyttle to dot down in the left corner.

McPhilips struck the extras well, but was unfortunate to see the ball rebound off the upright.

The Rifle Park side attacked from the off in the second period through the swift running of Rob Lyttle, who crossed the whitewash after two minutes play and added the extras to draw the score level at 12-12.

Referee Richard Kerr awarded ‘Hinch a crucial penalty in front of the posts on 48 minutes, as the visitors were deemed to have held on to the ball on the ground after a period of strong ‘Hinch play into the Banbridge half. 

With the home side being quick to take a tap penalty all game, calm heads decided to seek the extras that would give them back the lead and McPhilips added the three-pointer to give the home side the lead back. 

‘Hinch were straight back on the attack from the kick-off with an excellent break from Callum McLaughlin, supported by full back and Ulster Academy player Conor Kelly, who crossed for his debut try. The conversion was missed, 20-12 on 49 minutes.

Banbridge pressured hard for the next 20 minutes and the penalty count against the home side was high, with the visitors choosing to kick for ground and line out advantage each time. 

Porter was unlucky with a goal attempt on 70 minutes after ‘Hinch had again struggled with the Banbridge front row and were penalised.

The visitors attacked again and were able to use their big pack to work solidly closer to the ‘Hinch line, with the effort eventually paying off as Steven Irvine dotted down, with Porter adding the difficult extras, 20-19 on 74 minutes.

‘Hinch knew that there was a bonus-point try still there for the taking and went on the front foot again through the fast attacking backs.

In an excellent move done at pace, Ward made an individual break through the middle of the pitch, supported by the quick running Matt McKelvey, who off-loaded to the supporting Aaron Cairns and finally to new player coach Tom Rock, playing in the centre, but strong defence from Banbridge saw him held up over the line.

With the clock counting down, Banbridge pressured hard to try and get within penalty distance, but the Hinch defence stood solid and with turnover ball, Ward once again made the difference and broke, passing to the supporting David Busby, who beat the last two defenders to cross in the corner. 

The conversion was missed and referee Kerr blew for full time, to the delight of the large supporting base.

Ballynahinch: Zac Cinnamond, Zac McCall, Mo Simpson, Jack Regan, James Simpson (capt), Keith Dickson, Connor Phillips, Matt McKelvey, Aaron Cairns, Jonny McPhillips, Dave Busby, Rory Butler, Callum McLaughlin, Richard Reaney, Connor Kelly. Replacements: Conor Piper, Campbell Classons, Zac Ward, Chris Gibson, Tom Rock.

Ballynahinch 25

Banbridge 19

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