Ballynahinch edge derby tie

Ballynahinch edge derby tie

28 November 2018

BALLYNAHINCH secured an ugly derby win in front of a large home crowd and banished a few memories from the three defeats to Banbridge last season which cost them promotion.

The home side were almost at full strength, with Peter Nelson at full back, Kyle McCall returning in the front row and Johnny McPhillips sprung from the bench in the second half. Conor Kelly was the only significant absentee, with Richard Reaney taking his place on the wing. 

Banbridge were without most of their Ulster contingent, fielding the team which had propelled them through the leagues over the past few seasons, and they will feel that they should have beaten a jittery home side.

Defence dominated an attritional match and both sides were guilty of giving away penalties when in strong positions. Nelson kicked his side into the lead after five minutes, following a positive start, but Banbridge cranked up the pressure and had an excellent ten minute spell. They were held up over the line following some excellent driving play and continued to pile on the pressure, a charge down leading to a succession of 5m scrums. Despite some heroic defence, Banbridge scored when Stevie Irvine was driven over in the 22nd minute.

Ballynahinch followed this with their best spell of the match, with excellent carrying from forwards and backs, pinning Banbridge in their own 22. When it seemed they had finally stretched the Bann defence to the limit, a knock-on gave the away side some respite.

As ‘Hinch began to build another wave of attacks, scrum half Rhys O’Donnell spotted a gap around the ruck in the centre of the pitch and ran under the posts untouched for an excellent try. 

Nelson’s simple conversion made it 10-7, but ‘Hinch failed to push on and there was more defending to before half-time. Banbridge missed a penalty just before the break and the home side turned round with a narrow three-point cushion. 

McPhillips replaced Hilton Gibbons at half-time and knocked over an excellent penalty early in the second half to stretch the lead to six points. However, Banbridge had already shown their intention to move the ball and they looked increasingly dangerous with ball in hand, especially from scrums. 

Centre Andy Morrison looked dangerous every time he received the ball and Banbridge upped the tempo with ‘Hinch looking increasingly nervous. A yellow card for number 8 Conall Boomer in the 63rd minute following a collapsed maul invited pressure and only sensational home defence with 14 men kept them out.

The home try line was eventually breached in the 76th minute when Morrison went over following a missed tackle in midfield. The missed conversion gave Hinch a lifeline and despite more pressure form a superbly well drilled Banbridge team the final score remained 13-12. Relief rather than elation from the home supporters as they made their way home.

Ballynahinch 13

Banbridge 12

AIL DIVISION 1B