Ballynahich champions

Ballynahich champions

24 April 2013

BALLYNAHINCH became the first Ulster club to make it to the top flight of Irish club rugby with a magnificent controlled display against Buccaneers at Ballymacarn Park.

The tries margin was a convincing 6-1 and it was fitting that the title was won on home soil in front of a big home support.

The initials NS are embroidered on the sleeve of the ‘Hinch jersey and club captain Chris Stevenson said after the match:

“A number of us have been talking all week about this game, and how much it would mean for the club, and how much it would mean to us as a squad to honour Nevin’s name and also Graham and Noel. A few of us have been talking and Nev has been in our thoughts quite a bit this week.

“ am absolutely delighted with the way the boys performed. It is just reward for all the hard work which has been put in both on and off the field.”

‘Hinch opened the scoring in the third minute when Rodger McBurney proved unstoppable as he smashed his way down the right wing and took a return pass from Adam Craig to cross in the corner. Craig added the extras to take the Hinch seven points clear.

‘Hinch struck again in the 10th minute. This time, a quick tap penalty by Harry McAleese released Craig down the right wing and he won the chase to ground the ball. His conversion attempt was wide of the mark.

Craig made it 15 points in the 18th minute when Buccs strayed offside in front of their posts and the ‘Hinch winger converted the penalty attempt.

In the 22nd minute Buccs made the most of a clear overlap on the Hinch 22 with full back Callum Boland cutting through to open their account with a well-taken try, which Jack Carty failed to convert.

Buccs continued to dominate, but despite all the territorial advantage the visitors had their only reward came when Carty slotted an easy penalty kick in the 38th minute, closing the gap to 15-8.

The home side had the final say in the first half with a magnificent break down the left wing by Robin Harte who showed great determination, fending off two tackle attempts and racing clear to score. ‘Hinch led 20-8 at the interval.

The bonus point try came in the 43rd minute and it was Harte on the end of a great line across the front of the posts. Cutting the Buccs defence in two, he smashed his way over just right of the uprights. Blane McIlroy added the extras to take Hinch 27-8 clear.

McIlroy was next to score after second row John Donnan had driven play to within a metre of the Buccs line. McIlroy picked up and darted across the front of the posts then spotted a gap and dived over. He added the extras to make it 34-8.

Buccs continued to battle hard and they almost scored in the 64th minute when sloppy play by the Hinch defence in their 22 gifted an opening for Carty, but great last ditch defensive work from skipper Chris Stevenson turned over the ball, allowing the home side to clear their lines with a magnificent kick to touch by Blane McIlroy.

It was fitting that the final try of the game, in the 77th minute would be a hat-trick score for Robin Harte. The ball was quickly moved across the Buccs 22 and with three Hinch men available to dot down in the corner, Harte took the pass and delivered. McIlroy added the conversion from the touchline to send Ballynahinch into the top flight of Irish rugby.

After the game IRFU Committee member Stephen Hilditch was on hand to present the winning trophy to club captain Chris Stevenson.

Ballynahinch: R McBurney, R Harte, S Morrow, J Thompson, A Craig, H McAleese, B McIlroy, M Graham, P Pritchard, J Madden, J Donnan, J Simpson, C Carey, A Harper, K McCall. Replacements: P James, D Nicholson, N Faloon, G Armstrong, C Stevenson.

Ballynahinch 41

Buccaneers 8

AIL DIVISION 1B