‘Hinch battle to stay in top flight

‘Hinch battle to stay in top flight

3 February 2016

BALLYNAHINCH dug deep in defence to see out their first away league win since beating Dolphin in Cork last March, as they toppled Terenure College on the plastic pitch at Lakelands Park.

Wind-backed ‘Hinch did all of their scoring in the first half, an early converted try from their number 8 and Ireland Sevens international David McGuigan, who profited from an advancing five-metre scrum, setting them on their way.

Ace place-kicker Chris Quinn took his tally to 83 points for the campaign with two penalties and the conversion of fellow winger Jordan Grattan’s try, which came from a bouncing ball which favoured the visitors.

That left Terenure trailing 20-3 at the turnaround, their attack struggling to break down a well-organised ‘Hinch defence who were downfightMike Graham in the sin bin.

The Dubliners, winless in the last three rounds, mounted a strong comeback on the resumption as Jake Swaine slotted over two penalties and ‘Hinch’s Ulster-capped blindside Conor Joyce saw yellow.

The Ballynahinch defence clearly won the day, with dogged and defiant tackling, too well organised for Terenure College to broach.

Coach Derek Suffern was delighted with the “show of strength” in defence from his entire squad.

Nonetheless, ‘Hinch really had the bit between their teeth and deservedly prevailed to pick up their third win in four matches.

Only three points now separate the bottom three in the table — Ballynahinch are on 16, Terenure on 17)and Galwegians on 19, though the latter two have a game in hand and it’s all to play for.

This weekend sees Cork Constitution make the long journey north to Fortress Ballymacarn and a big turnout is expected to support the men in emerald green and blue as they continue the turnaround of their fortunes in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League in the fight for survival.

Ballynahinch (1-15): Jonny Simpson, Jonny Murphy, Craig Trenier, James Simpson, Mike Graham, Conor Joyce, Paul Pritchard (captain), David McGuigan, Paul Rowley, Justin Rea, Aaron Cairns, Jordan Grattan, Robin Harte, Chris Quinn, Mani Eden. Replacements: Jonny Blair, Zack McCall, Gareth Gill, David Busby, Will Stewart.

Terenure College 9

Ballynahinch 20

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE