BALLYNAHINCH eased to a comfortable win away to Ards just before Christmas.
Ards opened the scoring in the 12th minute when flanker Ryan Diver picked up a loose ball and raced into open space only to be halted just a few metres short. When the ruck formed, Ards’ tight head Andrew Foster picked up to smash his way over for the opening score. Paul Cox added the extras to give the home side a 7-0 lead.
The ‘Hinch hit back in the 16th minute when James Lash dispatched a penalty into the corner. Jonny Madden secured the ball from touch, which was moved wide by Aaron Cairns. When the ball was recycled, Lash made a half break then offloaded to Chris Napier who crashed over beside the posts. Lash added the extras to tie the score at 7-7.
In the 22nd minute a kick deep into the ‘Hinch 22 gave winger Aaron Ferris the opportunity to counterattack. Ferris weaved his way into the Ards half then passed inside to James Lash, who ran in to dot down behind the posts. Lash then converted his try to take the ‘Hinch 14-7 clear.
David McGuigan grabbed the third ‘Hinch try in the 30th minute, the young flanker stepping inside the Ards cover and despite the attentions of Scott Young, he did well to reach for the line to score. Lash converted taking the score to 21-7.
The bonus point came at the end of the first half, a catch and drive from a five metre line out proved impossible for Ards to stop, prop Chris Stevenson on hand to ground the ball for the try. Lash was again successful from the touchline to leave the ‘Hinch to turn round at the interval 28-7 in front.
The light was fading fast as the second half got underway and Lash ran in his second try in the sixth minute after a good build up from the pack created an opening for him to race through. He then added the extras to take the score to 35-7.
Ards lost the services of their tight head Andrew Foster for ten minutes when he was given a yellow card for foul play. Despite being down to 14 men the home side played their best rugby, but the game became very scrappy and the evening darkness descended on Hamilton Park.
In the final 15 minutes the scrums went uncontested and the ‘Hinch ran in two further tries the first fell to Jonny Madden with 14 minutes to play, Lash converting taking his side 42-7 clear.
The final score came in the 75th minute as hooker Gavin Armstrong showing some great determination and he battled his way over in the darkness just right of the posts. Lash converted and the referee blew for full time as daylight had all but disappeared.
• The All-Ireland League resumes this Saturday when the ‘Hinch face UCD at Ballymacarn Park.
Final score: Ards 7 Ballynahinch 49.