Ballynahinch stay in thick of battle

28 March 2012

BALLYNAHINCH maintained their title hopes with a crucial victory over their Ulster rivals.

With Harlequins losing to Bruff at Deramore Park the gap at the top of the league has closed to just four points. ‘Hinch have moved into second place with Dungannon chasing hard.

Ballynahinch made the perfect start, Chris Napier charging into the visitors’ 22 to set up a ruck close to the Ballymena line. The quick ball was moved right where James Thompson (inset) did well to wriggle his way over from close range and James Lash added the conversion to give the Hinch into a 7-0 lead after just two minutes.

Ballymena almost hit back in the fifth minute when hooker John Burns had a great run up the right wing but as he was caught close to the ‘Hinch line his pass inside went forward.

The visitors used the conditions well with half backs Ian Vance and Martin Irwin kicking well into the corners. In the 14th minute full back Roger McBurney put his side’s first points on the scoreboard when he ran in a try. Luke Marshall converted from the touchline.

The game became rather scrappy as both sides constantly infringed at the breakdown. In the 29th minute the referee had enough and yellow-carded ‘Hinch flanker Gavin Armstrong, who had been spotted pulling the ball back with his hand at a ruck. Marshall stepped up and converted a long-range effort to take the visitors into a 10-7 lead.

Chris Napier and Jerry Cronin went close to scoring with five minutes of the half remaining. ‘Hinch opted to kick for the corners as they pressed for a second try and should have succeeded with the last move of the half when they had men on the outside with a clear overlap. Unfortunately, the the ball was taken back inside and the chance was missed.

With a slight wind advantage in the second half, ‘Hinch started well and in the 47th minute Lash converted a long-range penalty to bring the sideds level after Ballymena went off their feet at a ruck for the third time.

Lash was on target again in the 56th minute after David Whan went offside at a ruck, but Ballymena levelled when the referee spotted a Hinch player pulling the ball back with his hand and Marshall made no mistake with the kick.

Marshall was having a solid game in the No. 12 jersey and he created an opening out of nothing in the 62nd minute to put his side in front again. He took a pass just outside his 22 and put a lovely little kick through a gap which he collected, then fired the ball wide to Fitzpatrick on the wing.

Many thought the Ballymena winger had made a mistake when he raced clear then put boot to the ball. However, the bounce in the home 22 beat both ‘Hinch players. Fitzpatrick gathered his kick to dive over in the corner. Marshall added the extras to take his side 20-13 clear.

‘Hinch managed to fight back well with James Thompson finding a gap to race clear in the 64th minute. The Hinch centre twisted and turned the Ballymena defence as he ran into the visitors 22 only to be stopped by a magnificent cover tackle from second row Darryl O’Kane. The ball was quickly recycled with the ‘Hinch running a three-man overlap, flanker Gavin Armstrong the man to cross for the try. Lash failed to convert.

‘Hinch continued to press and a great kick and chase from full back David Nicholson in the 69th minutes created havoc near the Ballymena line, forcing the visitors to concede a five-metre scrum, from which flanker Robert Greer managed to to ground the ball under the posts for an excellent try. Lash converted to put the home side 25-20 ahead with seven minutes left on the clock.

It was a good result with four very valuable league points gathered. There are now three games remaining, UCD away this Saturday in Dublin, then two home games against UL Bohs and Galwegians to finish. It will be vital to pick up a win this weekend to keep the pressure on all those in contention.

Ballynahinch 25

Ballymena 20

AIL DIVISION 1B

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