Lisburn go under to a rampaging ‘Hinch IIs

8 January 2014

THE recent heavy rain and wind had abated by Saturday afternoon leaving a sticky, yet playable Ballymacarn Park to greet Ballynahinch seconds as they faced Lisburn in the first round of

this season’s Powerade Ulster Towns Cup.

The home side made a solid start with strong runs from Zack McCall and hooker Conor Piper driving play forward and half backs Peter Weir and James McBriar making good ground into the Lisburn half.

‘Hinch opened the scoring in the 9th minute when good continuity play created space for winger Jordan Graham to make good ground up the left wing and he did well to put the supporting Michael Carson clear to battle his way over at the corner flag for the first try. James McBriar failed to convert from the touchline leaving the ‘Hinch 5-0 in front.

The cold conditions and the sticky pitch made handing difficult for both sides, but the ‘Hinch were guilty of squandering a couple of clear scoring chances with accuracy in the final phases letting the side down when it mattered most.

David Nicholson, Sam Hanna and Josh Donaldson all made notable carries, but it wasn’t until the 20th minute that the Lisburn defence was breached again.

The attack began on halfway with a great run from centre David Nicholson who raced clear into the Lisburn 22 and drew full back Scott Hughes, putting Michael Carson clear for his second

try. McBriar was wide with the conversion attempt to leave the ‘Hinch 10 points clear after the first quarter.

‘Hinch scored their third try in the 38th minute and it was worth the wait. It started on halfway with a great break by winger Owen Jarvie who stepped his way past a number of tackles and into space well clear of the chasing pack.

As the Lisburn defence closed, he passed inside to hooker Conor Piper at pace as he cut a great line through a gap on the 22 and sprinted clear to dive over just left of the posts. McBriar added the extras to take the ‘Hinch 17 points clear.

The half ended on a sour note for the home side as Chris Stevenson was yellow carded for a high tackle in front of the Hinch posts, Matt Graham converting the penalty for the visitors to take them into the interval trailing 17-3.

Despite being reduced to 14 men the ‘Hinch made a strong start to the second half. With just three minutes played Zack McCall led the charge with a storming run into the Lisburn 22.

Conor Piper and Sam Hanna continued the attack then McBriar found Carson on his left and he sent the full back clear to score his hat-trick of tries in the 43rd minute.

McBriar failed to convert leaving the ‘Hinch 22-3 clear. The fifth ‘Hinch try was another great play, which came in the 66th minute.

Winger Jordan Graham started the attack down the left wing with Stevenson and Piper taking play deep into the Lisburn 22.

Weir moved the quick ball wide where McCall smashed his way through a gap on the 22 and raced clear to dive in under the posts. McBriar added the extras to take ‘Hinch seconds 29-3 clear.

The final ‘Hinch try came in the 73rd minute when strong running from the backs created an overlap, but centre Davy Harris stepped inside the Lisburn defence to fend off one player before outpacing another, then diving over right of the posts. McBriar added the

extras to take ‘Hinch 36-3 clear.

This week the team returns to league action as they make the short journey and travel to Banbridge, with the firsts having no game, all support would be appreciated as the side aim to continue at the top of the table.

Ballynahinch II: Michael Carson, Owen Jarvie, David Nicholson, Davy Harris, Jordan Graham, James McBriar, Peter Weir, Zack McCall, Josh Donaldson, Sam Hanna, Jordan McMullen, Andy Simpson, Chris Stevenson, Conor Piper, Brian Mannus. Subs: Niall Montgomery, Ben McMullan.

Ballynahinch II 36

Lisburn 3

TOWNS’ CUP 1ST ROUND

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder