‘Hinch display brightens up dull afternoon

‘Hinch display brightens up dull afternoon

12 December 2012

A COLD, wet afternoon on the back pitch at Harlequins could be a combination that’s not always conducive to running rugby.

But this ‘Hinch team did not let it matter to them and they made light of the conditions and outplayed their opponents, scoring seven tries, keeping their travelling supporters happy.

A difficult start for the home side saw them lose Blake-Knox and Ferguson within five minutes to injury. The opening 10 minutes were scrappy with neither side putting much together.

‘Hinch opened the scoring when the ball reached James Thompson and he was able to use his pace to touch down with Michael Lawton converting.

Five minutes later, ‘Hinch increased their lead. From a scrum just outside their own 22, Aaron Cairns fed Roger McBurney on the short side and he used his pace and skill to score a fine individual try, which was converted again by Lawton.

Quins pressed, but the hard-working ‘Hinch defence stood firm. Veteran prop Chris Stevenson went off injured and he was replaced by Andy Irwin.

The visitors were penalised as the scrum collapsed and Quins took this opportunity to open their account. At half-time Ballynahinch led 14-3.

‘Hinch took only two minutes to extend their lead. Adam Craig, deep in his own 22, fielded a Quins kick and decided to run a counter-attack.

When his excellent run was halted, David McGuigan was in support. He just failed to make the line but Jonny Simpson was on hand to score under the posts. Lawton was there again with the conversion.

Ten minutes later the same three players were prominent, this time Craig was the scorer after a powerful run. Lawton converted.

At this stage Craig and Cairns were replaced by Chris Quinn and Aaron Ferris.

Quins’ only score of the second half came from a 5m scrum when `their No. 8 picked up and managed to make the line. Lawton `converted to make it score 28-10 to the visitors.

This try lifted the home side and they continued to put ‘Hinch under pressure, but when they lost the ball Lawton was first to react and he sprinted 60 metres to score and then convert.

‘Hinch were playing with an air of confidence and were keen to run on every occasion.

The next score came after an initial break by Lawton. The ball was fly hacked on by Stuart Morrow, allowing Thompson to run the race and score his second try. Lawton, with his kicking boots working wonders, converted.

The seventh and final try came after a strong McBurney run. An off-load to Jonny Madden whose pass to Ferris saw the winger race home. Lawton, as he had done all afternoon, again converted.

A pleasing and very assured performance from the visitors, but ‘Hinch know it will be a different Quins side that they meet in early February in the All Ireland League.

• No game for the first XV this Saturday but still a big day for the club with the second XV away to Armagh and the thirds, fourths and fifths all at home. The sevenths are away to Bangor.

Harlequins 10

Ballynahinch 49

ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE