‘Hinch remain in chase for title

‘Hinch remain in chase for title

19 December 2018

APPALLING conditions greeted the teams at a wet and windy Ballymacarn Park on Saturday for another crucial Ulster derby in Division 1B. 

The referee deemed conditions playable and grounds guru George Morton must take huge credit as his outstanding drainage work has enabled the first XV to complete their fixtures without any postponements over the past two seasons and thus avoid a backlog of fixtures in the New Year. The bumper pre-match lunch crowd were less than keen to brave the elements, but a few hardy souls cheered the team on. 

Johnny McPhillips was released by Ulster late on Friday night and he started the match with Ryan Wilson ping to the bench. Ulster flyer Iwan Hughes also made his debut on the wing and Peter Nelson continued at full back. 

Kyle McCall returned at loose head, but his brother Zac was ruled out with Clayton Milligan taking his place at hooker. Malone looked strong with Ross Kane, Joe Dunleavey, Peter Cooper, Adam McBurney and Matthew Dalton all released by Ulster to bolster their forward pack.

The wind was blowing across the pitch and this did not really favour either side. However, it did make things even more difficult as the rain was relentless and conditions underfoot were fairly treacherous. 

No one expected a classic and Ballynahinch had a little more composure in the key moments to secure a vital win. Local knowledge certainly helped with Nelson providing a masterclass in tactical kicking throughout, using his big left boot to keep his forwards on the front foot and dig his team out of trouble. 

Two McPhillips penalties and a typical Ross Adair finish following a Kyle McCall break had Ballynahinch 11-0 up at the break and they were well worth their lead. 

Malone turned the screw in the second half and when they scored a penalty try following a collapsed scrum under the ‘Hinch posts to close the gap to 11-7 with around 15 minutes the game could have slipped away from the home side, especially as McCall was sin-binned at the same time. 

However, the 14 man defence held out, and with the outstanding John Donnan laying waste to the Malone line out, the locals held out in relative comfort for another tight derby win.

The next AIL fixture is away at Malone for the next instalment of the double-header on January 19.

Ballynahinch will hope to have some players back from injury as the season reaches a crucial stage. 

The Ulster derbies look likely to decide the shape of the table and ‘Hinch will be away from home for three out of four in the second half of the season.

Brian McLaughlin and his coaching staff will be plotting over the break to gain any advantage in the race for promotion.

Ballynahinch 11

Malone 7

AIL DIVISION 1B