Last gasp try haunts Ballynahinch

8 February 2012

IT was end-to-end dramatic stuff at Ballymacarn Park with the Tyrone men hanging on to secure a draw with a try from Mary O’Shea in the final play of the game.

It may have be a slow start but this contest developed into a real cracker as the Hinch fought back from being 17-0 down to lead 22-17 deep into injury time.

The visitors started well with Michael Kirkwood and Kieran Campbell keeping ‘Hinch deep in their half of the field. They opened the scoring in the 20th minute when winger Michael Lawton sent a well-struck, long-range penalty between the posts.

Dungannon looked dangerous on the counter attack and in the 25th minute Connor Gaston spotted Jerry Cronin in the defensive line and attacked on the outside.

The young full back had too muck pace for the ‘Hinch prop and he sprinted into a massive gap passing outside for Chris Cochrane to race clear and run round to dot down behind the posts. Lawton added the extras, taking Dungannon 10-0 clear.

From the restart the ‘Hinch took a man out in the air and Kirkwood wasted no time in kicking his side back into the ‘Hinch 22. A patient build-up by the Dungannon pack on the ‘Hinch line gave No. 8 James McMahon the room to smash his way over in the 29th minute for try number two. Lawton again added the extra points to take Dungannon 17-0 in front.

The home side looked all at sea but managed to steady the ship with some strong running by Stuart Morrow in the midfield. In the 36th minute Morrow blasted his way clear and with Johnny Graham in support.

Play quickly ended with Calum Threlfall deliberately infringing under the Dungannon posts. Referee Simon McDowell issued the yellow card to Threlfall and James Lash dispatched the ball to touch to set up a catch-and-drive. With the ball secured, and with the advantage of an extra man the home pack started to take control.

In the 39th minute Dungannon infringed again and Chris Napier was quick to react. Taking a quick tap he smashed his way over for the first ‘Hinch try. Lash converted to leave it 17-7 at the interval.

Ballynahinch started the second half well and after a series of pick-and-drives James Simpson was driven over for the second Hinch try which Lash failed to convert closing the gap to 17-12.

After all his good work Simpson found himself yellow-carded in the 49th minute when he deliberately pulled a Dungannon player back as he competed for a loose ball at the back of a line-out. The penalty was missed by Lawton.

In the 64th minute Morrow and Graham combined again, Morrow bursting through the midfield with Graham in close support to set up another good attacking position.

When the quick ball was flashed left good hands from James Thompson put Hinch full back David Nicholson into space and he sprinted in to tie the scores. Lash then added the extras to take the Hinch into the lead for the first time at 19-17.

Lash converted a penalty goal in the 69th minute to take the home side 22-17 clear after the visitors went off their feet at a ruck on their 10-metre line.

In injury time ‘Hinch infringed as they scrambled to defend and from being deep in the visitors’ 22 they suddenly found themselves defending a five-metre line-out in the final play of the game.

Dungannon secured possession and set up a series of drives then flashed the ball wide where replacement Mark O’Shea had just enough room to cross in the right hand corner to tie the scores. Ballymacarn Park held its breath as Lawton’s kick drifted wide and the final whistle blew.

The man of the match was ‘Hinch centre Stuart Morrow

In previous weeks the other teams results did go in favour of the Hinch but the events of last weekend have now moved the Hinch from the top spot in the table down to fourth.

Harlequins beat Galwegians 19-13, Ballymena defeated Bruff 17-8 and Buccaneers won at UCD 16-15 to leave the Hinch two points adrift of Quins on top. This weekend ‘Hinch travel to Cork to play UCC at the Mardyke and must return home with the points in the bag as the title race heats up.

Ballynahinch: David Nicholson, Aaron Ferris, Stuart Morrow, James Thompson, Robin Harte, James Lash, Harry McAleese, Jonny Graham, Jonny Madden, James Simpson, Chris Napier, John Donnan, Jerry Cronin, Neil Hanna, Jonny Simpson. Subs: Aaron Cairns, Mark McCormick, Garvin Morton, Fergal Lynch, Gavin Armstrong.

Ballynahinch 22

Dungannon 22

AIL DIVISION 1B

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder