Ballynahinch deserve their reward after terrific display

26 March 2014

BALLYNAHINCH put in a storming display against Limerick side Young Munster as they continue their battle for survival in the top flight of Irish Club Rugby.

‘Hinch opened the scoring in the first minute. After a solid scrum produced good first phase ball Rodger McBurney ran a great line to break clear and fed inside to David McIlwaine, who dived over at the posts. Ritchie Lobb converted.

In the 15th minute David McGuigan turned over ball in the ‘Hinch 22 and raced upfield where he was eventually caught five metres short of the Munster line. The quick ball was released right where McBurney was on hand to score the second try. Lobb added the extras.

‘Hinch lost the services of tight head Chris Taylor, who had to retire with an injury in the 23rd minute and was replaced by the experienced Chris Stevenson.

Young Munster got themselves on the scoreboard in the 30th minute when ‘Hinch were penalised for coming into the side of a ruck and Brian Haugh converted to make the score 14-3.

Chris Stevenson was yellow-carded in the 28th minute following repeated infringements in the scrum.

As the first half drew to a close the home side took control and managed to keep Young Munster on the back foot.

Just before half-time Lobb added a penalty goal for ‘Hinch and turned round at the interval 17-3 in front.

Wind at their backs Ballynahinch kept he pressure on the visitors’ defence with some accurate kicking from Cairns, Lobb and McBurney.

The third try came in the 58th minute when Willie Staunton’s clearance kick was fielded near the touchline by Lobb who immediately counter-attacked.

He beat one defender and passed inside to McBurney in support. The Hinch full back cleverly chipped the cover defence, collected the ball and won the race to the corner flag. Lobb converted to give the ‘Hinch a 24-3 lead.

Kyle McCall was yellow-carded in the 62nd minute for overuse of his feet at a ruck close to the ‘Hinch line, but a great steal from Jonny Madden in the 68th minute managed to release the pressure and clear the danger.

The vital bonus point try came in the 68th minute. With McCall in the sin-bin, the scrum went uncontested. ‘Hinch had forced a kickable penalty on the edge of Limerick men’s 22 and opted for the set piece.

Cairns flashed the ball wide where great hands from the ‘Hinch back line created just enough room from David McIlwaine to beat Barry Gibbons on the outside and he finished well in the corner for an unconverted try.

Skipper Stuart Morrow was the creator of the final ‘Hinch try in the 74th minute when he smashed his way past Willie Staunton and through a gap in the Munster midfield.

As the 22 approached Morrow passed inside to put replacement full back James McBriar clear and he dived in under the posts. McBriar converted his try to complete the scoring.

This was a great team performance, but special mention must go to the ‘Hinch scrum half Aaron Cairns, who was in the thick of the action.

Two other stand-out players were full back Rodger McBurney and flanker David McGuigan, who both contributed a great deal to the quality of this game.

After the game ‘Hinch coach Derek Suffern said: “The boys are ecstatic in the changing room. We have been waiting a long time for this result.

“We thought it had come two or three weeks ago, but the boys kept getting kicked when they think they are over the line, and they have shown great, great character.

“We have had a super week in training and the boys played really well today. They scored some great tries and I thought our all-round performance was superb.

Ballynahinch 36

Young Munster 3

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE

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