‘Hinch battle for away win

‘Hinch battle for away win

5 April 2017

BALLYNAHINCH secured a precious win on the road to survival in Division 1B of the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League.

This was a performance built on a phenomenal work rate and hunger, alongside a belief and never say die attitude from the whole squad.

The win pushes ‘Hinch up to sixth in the table, but Saturday’s home fixture against Bohemians will require another Herculean effort to record a win.

Victory would secure their place in the division for next season and all support on Saturday would be greatly appreciated.

Naas, who were looking to dement their place in the play-offs, fired out of the blocks and took an early lead when powerful centre Henry Bryce made a break the cover defence.

He was brought down short of the line but the ball was recycled and spread to the left wing for Peter Howard to power over in the corner.

Irish Clubs international Peter Osbourne expertly despatched the touchline conversion.

Ballynahinch worked their way back into the game and following the recovery of a kick by Aaron Ferris, the ball was taken on by James Simpson,.

Quick ruck ball saw Nelson find Wright in space but his attempted offload went into touch with the line at their mercy.  A Naas player was offside and play was brought back, enabling Justin Rea to split the uprights and get the visitors on the scoreboard.

‘Hinch suffered two injury blows, losing Jonny Blair and Justin Rea, but they regrouped and took the game to the home side. After 26 minutes, it became a one-point game when Peter Nelson kicked a penalty.

The final 10 minutes of the half saw the visitors trapped within their 22, but belligerent defence from Davy Nicholson and Callum McLaughlin saw the ball turned over and cleared up the pitch

However, on the whistle Naas battered their way over the line, Osbourne again converted and the home side led 14-6 at the break.

 The second half began well for Hinch, with sustained pressure drawing another penalty that Nelson ably converted to bring the score to 14-9 and back into losing bonus point range.

Ballynahinch then enjoyed long periods of possession, but failed to break down the well organised home defence and although two long range penalties drifted wide, the visitors displayed a composure and ball retention that had been missing previously.

A break by Wright released Ferris, who beat two men down the right-hand touchline, but his attempted offload didn’t quite find the supporting David McGuigan and Naas managed to get the loose ball and clear their lines.

 A rare second period venture into the Ballynahinch half on 70 minutes saw Naas awarded a long-range penalty, but surprisingly Osbourne pushed his kick to the left of the uprights and ‘Hinch remained within a score of the Leinster hosts.

The visitors continued to challenge the home defence and finally broke it, albeit having to go from 10 metres from their own line. 

The key play of the game came on 80 minutes when Ben Pentland, who had been immense all day around the park, forced Naas to knock on in midfield.

The Ballymacarn outfit played the advantage and Nelson threw a wide pass to McLaughlin, now on at 12. The centre drew his man and gave a charging McGuigan a ‘2 on 1’, releasing the flying Busby, who managed to fend off two defenders down the left wing and somehow stay in play, before offloading to the supporting McGuigan.

The Irish sevens International had the legs to run in from half way and level the scores to the delight of the players and the travelling faithful.

Nelson made no mistake with the conversion and ‘Hinch led 16-14 with seconds left on the clock.

Naas fortuitously retrieved the ball from the kick off. They went about battering the ‘Hinch defence with powerful carries and managed to draw a penalty.

All eyes were now on the usually reliable Osbourne as he stepped up to take the kick. It wasn’t to be. Osbourne pulled his kick to the left of the uprights and the referee brought the game to a close with a jubilant Ballynahinch securing four vital points. 

Ballynahinch (1-15): Jonny Blair, Andrew Harper, Craig Trenier, James Simpson, John Donnan, Stewart Evans, David McGuigan, Mike Graham, Aaron Cairns, Peter Nelson, Aaron Ferris, Justin Rea, Davy Nicholson, David Busby, Paddy Wright.

Replacements: Andrew Weir, Ben Pentland, Brian Howard, James McBriar, Callum McLaughlin.

Naas RFC 14

Ballynahinch 16

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE 1B