Season ends on high note

Season ends on high note

15 May 2013

AFTER two changes of venue, a lucky toss of a coin saw Ballynahinch thirds earn a home draw for the Harden Cup final on Saturday.

A youthful, if understrength, Ballynahinch 3s received the kick-off and went straight on the attack. The early pressure paid off and after several phases of great forward and back interplay, the ball was offloaded to the charging Zac McCall who burst through the Bangor defence to dot down in the left corner, giving Hinch the first points on the board. Robbie Irvine made a great effort with a very difficult conversion, only to be defeated by the swirling wind.

‘Hinch’s second try came three minutes later when Jordan Graham broke the Bangor line and finished off under the posts for Robbie Irvine to add the extras.

On 21 minutes, Zac McCall burst through for a second time to score under the posts. Irvine again added the extras and ‘Hinch were 19-0 in front after 23 minutes.

Bangor recovered their own kick-off and went on the charge into the ‘Hinch 22. The ball was recycled and the Bangor prop, Schofield, used his momentum to charge over the try line with several ‘Hinch defenders clinging on to him.

Aaron Samuels, the stand-in ‘Hinch captain, was yellowed-carded on 29 minutes for an infringement at a ruck and Bangor used their extra man as winger Foulkes broke through the defence to score. The conversion was missed.

The second half started with a long period of static play between the 22s as both teams suffered in the wet conditions.

On 65 minutes, Hinch counter-rucked exceptionally well, with the ball being moved well to Jordy Grattan, allowing him to turn on the gas and break through the Bangor defence to score in the right hand corner. Irvine was again defeated by the windy conditions, missing the extras.

The final 15 minutes of the match saw Ballynahinch defend their lead. The prevailing weather conditions became steadily worse and both teams welcomed the final whistle.

Aaron Samuels received the Harden Cup from past president Norman McBriar to round off a fantastic season which brought the Crawford and Harden Cups and the Junior League title.

Ballynahinch: C Saunders, J Graham, J Grattan, C Kirk, F Birt, R Irvine, B McMullan, Z McCall, M McKeown, M Adams, R Lusk, A Simpson, A Samuels (capt), C Phillips, K Hamilton. Replacements: D Steele, I Dornan, L Spence, G Gill, G Murdock.

Ballynahinch III 24

Bangor II 10

HARDEN CUP FINAL