Battling seconds outgun Dromore

Battling seconds outgun Dromore

9 November 2016

TWO County Down rivals took to the pitch in perfect conditions to contest a Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup quarter-final.

In the year that Ballynahinch RFC celebrate 20 years as a senior club, this competition, in which ‘Hinch cut their competitive teeth, is taken no less seriously.

‘Hinch started strongly and took the lead on six minutes through a penalty from Ryan Wilson.

Some careless play from the home side gave Dromore the opportunity to even the scores and potentially take the lead, but the visitors’ out-half was well off with the boot on two occasions.

Hinch continued to run with the ball in hand, attacking well through their fast running backs and trying to use the speed men on the wings, notably Aaron Ferris.

The ‘Hinch scrum was very strong throughout and allowed the home side to move the ball well, but some sloppy handling meant that the ball was not always going to hand.

Some resolute work in the loose from Dromore back row saw them force ‘Hinch to give away silly penalties.

From one of them they pressed ‘Hinch back to their five-metre line and from the resultant scrum the ball was moved down the blind side for their winger score in the corner. The extras were missed, but Dromore led 5-3.

Motivated by their sloppiness, ‘Hinch attacked from the kick-off, winning the ball back and moving through the phases well into the Dromore 22.

On 31 minutes — after a further surge from the forwards — Chris Stevenson went over for a try, which was converted by Paddy Wright, and ‘Hinch led 10-5.

Eight minutes later ‘Hinch contested well at a line-out in the Dromore 22 and won the ball. Chris Gibson, cleverly controlling play at scrum half, moved the ball through two phases and Ryan Wilson deftly chipped a cross field kick on to the Dromore try line, which was knocked back by the visitors’ full back for Paddy Wright to pounce and score. Wright also added the extras.

Leading 17-5, ‘Hinch were now playing now with a bright setting sun at their backs, making things difficult for Dromore, who took the match straight back to the home side and forced Ferris into defending a threatening break down the left wing.

Graham McKittrick, playing at blindside flanker, was a steadying presence in the back row and was working very hard in the loose to secure ball for ‘Hinch.

Willie Stewart was playing well at inside centre and on 56 minutes he moved the ball wide to Jonny Murdock, who dotted down under the posts. Wilson converted to take the score to 24-5.

‘Hinch continued to attack through their fast running backs and another break by Ferris saw him caught just short of the Dromore try line.

The home side continued to impose themselves on a tiring Dromore. and on 63 minutes, after another set of moves through the ‘Hinch back line, Ferris crossed for his side’s fourth try. Wright again stepped up for the conversion, but was unlucky on this occasion.

On 79 minutes another penetrating attack from the ‘Hinch back line saw Ferris bag his brace of tries and Wilson added the extras to close out the match.

Overall, a successful match for Ballynahinch, who had been stripped of players late in the week due to first XV requirements for the All-Ireland League and testament to the strength in depth that ‘Hinch can call upon.

Ballynahinch (1-15): Chris Stevenson, Ben Pentland, Stuart Orr, Andy Simpson, Dave Gunson, Graham McKittrick, Jason Barr, Brian Howard, Chris Gibson, Ryan Wilson, Paddy Wright, Willie Stewart, Davy Harris (capt), Aaron Ferris, Joe Bingham.

Replacements: Ben Cullen, Jonny Murdock.

Ballynahinch II 36

Dromore 5

MILLAR McCALL WYLIE JUNIOR CUP