‘Hinch seconds suffer agonising cup reversal as Clogher come good

‘Hinch seconds suffer agonising cup reversal as Clogher come good

1 January 2013

BALLYNAHINCH seconds suffered a heartbreaking cup final defeat by the narrowest of margins at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Clogher applied early pressure and it paid off in the 15th minute when they were awarded a penalty try after a series of rolling mauls. Paul Galbraith converted.

‘Hinch hit back with a Michael Lawton penalty in the 20th minute after Valley were caught offside under a high ball. Lawton closed the gap to a single point when he converted a second penalty in the 25th minute after Valley were caught with their hands in a ruck.

In the 29th minute ‘Hinch had centre Paddy James yellow-carded for not rolling away at a ruck. Valley kicked the ball into touch in the corner, only to knock on at the line out to give ‘Hinch a five-metre scrum.

Valley took the ball against the head and attacked the blind side where out half Aaron Best squeezed in at the corner for an unconverted try leaving Valley 12-6 clear.

Lawton closed the gap again in the 35th minute with a third penalty, but out of nothing Valley struck again in the 51st minute when winger Keith Todd went on a counterattack, and found space down the right wing.

He beat Davy Nicholson on the outside then put in a neat grubber kick past the cover defence, winning the race to collect the ball and dive over for a well taken individual try. Galbraith added the extras taking Valley 19-9 clear.

Galbraith made it 22-9 in the 60th minute after hands in the ruck from ‘Hinch gifted an easy chance.

As the game moved into the final quarter ‘Hinch introduced Aaron Cairns at scrum half and what a difference he made.

In the 63rd minute Valley had loose head Phillip Moore yellow carded and the ‘Hinch were quick to exploit their extra man advantage. Jonny Simpson was unlucky as he crossed from a pick and drive, but the referee failed to see the ball being grounded.

From the 5 metre scrum Cairns attacked the blind side to cross for a try, which Lawton failed to convert leaving ‘Hinch trailing 22-14.

From the restart Valley looked rattled with ‘Hinch now with their tails up led by forwards Jonny Simpson, Philip Orr, Garvin Morton and Stuart Orr, they kept pushing the Valley defence back.

When Valley did gain possession they quickly used the wind to keep ‘Hinch running from deep, but in the 71st minute one such kick was fielded by winger Jordan Heatley and he quickly moved play wide.

Conor Philips and Paddy James made good ground then the fast men, David Nicholson and Michael Lawton, joined the attack.

Nicholson drew his man sending Lawton free and despite a last ditch tackle from scrum half James Bates Lawton did well to keep his balance and sprint clear to score.

He quickly added the extras to bring the ‘Hinch right back into the contest trailing Valley 22-21 with just over eight minutes left to play.

It was all ‘Hinch to the finish and Cairns almost stole to show when he broke clear  with just two minutes remaining.

Cutting through the middle of the field, he chipped full back Paul Armstrong, but with the line at his mercy the ball failed to bounce his way and the chance to score was missed.

Ballynahinch: Conor Saunders, Jordan Heatley, Paddy James, Davy Harris, David Nicholson, James McBriar, Michael Lawton, Garvin Morton, Josh Donaldson, Jordan McMullan, Philip Orr, Matthew Connolly, Stuart Orr, Conor Phillips, Jonny Simpson. Replacements: Aaron Cairns, Jonny Cullen, David Steele, Matthew Adams, Andy Irwin.

Clogher Valley 22

Ballynahinch II 21

JUNIOR CUP FINAL