Crawford Cup final cracker

Crawford Cup final cracker

10 April 2013

BALLYNAHINCH thirds picked up the club’s first piece of silverware this year when they edged out Coleraine seconds in an epic cup final at Ravenhill last Tuesday.

The ‘Hinch started well and made some big hits in the early stages. The pressure continued from Ballynahinch, forcing Coleraine to infringe in the ‘Hinch 22 and a subsequent penalty led to a line out that was easily won and the maul worked well into the Coleraine 22. This allowed ‘Hinch to release their backs on the attack with John Gunson supporting and crashing over the line on four minutes, but some sturdy Coleraine defence held the ball up and the try was disallowed.

On 18 minutes, a captain’s charge by Andy Glenn saw him break several tackles into Coleraine’s 22. The ball was recycled several times by ‘Hinch with Gunson finally making the try line. The kick was converted by out half Robbie Irvine to give the ‘Hinch a 7-0 lead after 20 minutes. ‘Hinch received the kick-off and attacked through the middle keeping Coleraine on the back foot. The resultant pressure and recycling of the ball through several phases of forwards play left Coleraine short-handed in defence and allowed Mark McCormick to come in off his wing and score. Irvine again converted to give his side a 14-0 lead after 23 minutes.

‘Hinch absorbed the Coleraine pressure well, but were guilty on several occasions of not releasing the player in the tackle and were penalised on 35 minutes as a result.

Coleraine opted to kick just outside the ‘Hinch 22, but Cameron Jinks scuffed the ball wide of the ‘Hinch posts to leave the score at 14-0 at the end of the first half.

Coleraine started the second half strongly and were awarded a penalty when ‘Hinch out half Robbie Irvine failed to release the ball in a tackle.

Coleraine opted to kick, but again the Coleraine out half Jinks missed an easy kick in front of the posts. It was now ‘Hinch’s turn to go on the attack and clever running and kicking by the veteran Jonny Cullen saw Coleraine pinned well into their 22.

The match started to become a little frantic as both teams tired and a kicking game ensued as field advantage was sought.

Some clever play by Coleraine and deft hands from Van Wyk saw a great chance missed as the final Coleraine pass was knocked forward.

On 60 minutes, in a move straight off the training park, Coleraine attacked wide, only to be bundled into touch well inside the ‘Hinch 22.

‘Hinch fought back well from the line out and made deep into Coleraine’s 22, only for Coleraine to steal the ball and attack through their backs well into Hinch’s 22.

Five minutes later ‘Hinch were penalised for an infringement at the ruck and Coleraine used a clever forwards’ move which saw Andrew Hutchinson score, with Sheils converting. On 70 minutes and fantastic break by ‘Hinch’s backs saw Mark McCormick denied a try only by a Coleraine high tackle. ‘Hinch opted to kick the penalty, but the usually reliable Irvine pushed the kick wide. Four minutes later Cullen was yellow carded for infringing in a ruck and Coleraine attacked from their penalty, passing the ball through several sets of hands to see their winger Nigel Hall score in the corner.

Sheils missed the crucial conversion and that proved crucial as the ‘Hinch held on for a super win.

Ballynahinch: J. Magowan, M. McCormick, J. Graham, J. Cullen, J. Coen, R. Irvine, J. Murdock, J. Gunson, P. Orr, M. Adams, R. Lusk, M. McDowell, A. Glenn (capt), D. Steele, A. Samuel. Replacements: I. Dornan, M. Glenn, F. Birt, G. Murdock, G. Morton.

Coleraine II 12

Ballynahinch III 14

CRAWFORD CUP FINAL