Historic cup win for ‘Hinch ladies

Historic cup win for ‘Hinch ladies

29 March 2017

THE conditions at the Civil Service sports ground at Stormont were perfect for the inaugural Women’s Ulster Junior Cup final.

History was in the making for Ballynahinch as their male counterparts were already in possession of the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup and this was potentially a unique double in the making.

The young Ballynahinch team, in only their fourth season, had failed to defeat City of Derry in the league on two occasions and a tough day at the office was expected.

The game kicked off with the ‘Hinch Ladies playing into the bright sun and the early exchanges were fairly even with scrum-half Katherine Tougher and out-half Vicky Irwin getting their backs over the gain line and allowing the much fitter ‘Hinch forwards to compete on the front foot.

There were a number of scrums and the front row of Stacey Fluke, Monica Steele and Hannah Harris used their superior technique to subdue the heavier City of Derry opponents.

The power from the back five allowed the Ballynahinch girls to take two against the head in the first half.

The pressure was paid off when one of the many penalties conceded by Derry gave Alexa Grudging the opportunity to convert the first of her three penalty kicks and give Ballynahinch a three-point lead at half-time.

The second half commenced with City of Derry being put under pressure by a combination of intelligent kicking and the relentless power of the back row of Storm Cobain, Nicole Dunlop and Kathryn Hanna. 

This, coupled with dominance in the line-out by Sapphire Dudley and Amanda Maginn, gave the girls from the North West a drought of quality ball.

The free running backs played their part all day with Brittany Hogan asking questions of the defence every time she touched the ball.

Backed up by the running power of Rachel Morton, Alexa Grudging, Jill Stephens and Sarah McLaughlin, the Ballynahinch pressure resulted in two further penalties, both converted by Alexa to take the lead to nine points. 

Claire Marley, Natasha Mudi, Shauna Bennett and Emma Perkins all played their part from the bench and made this a total team performance.

To their credit City of Derry did score a consolation try in injury time, but by then there was no doubt that the Junior Cup was on its way to Ballymacarn Park.

‘Hinch captain Amanda Maginn received the Junior Cup from ex-Irish International Rachel Boyd and the history books were written.

Ballynahinch (1-15): Hanna Harris, Monica Steele, Stacey Fluke, Amanda Maginn (capt), Sapphire Dudley, Nicole Dunlop, Storm Cobain, Kathryn Hanna, Katherine Tougher, Vicky Irwin, Jill Stephens, Brittany Hogan, Rachel Morton, Sarah McLaughlin, Alexa Grudging.

Replacements: Claire Douglas, Natasha Mudi, Shauna Bennett, Emma Perkins

Injured or unavailable: Sara Topping, Hannah Beattie, Shannon Corbett, Victoria Carlisle, Hannah Burns and Rosita Quinn.