‘Hinch taken out by Naas

‘Hinch taken out by Naas

2 November 2016

BALLYNAHINCH welcomed Naas to Ballymacarn Park on Saturday and showed a significant number of changes from their previous fixture against Old Wesley.

The visitors started brightly, using the strong breeze to pin the home side in their own 22m area, but stubborn resistance from the defence saw the home side turnover possession and clear their lines.

After 10 minutes ‘Hinch got on the scoreboard first after some strong carries got them over the gain line.

Ross Carlisle spotted a gap in the defence but as he was being tackled he offloaded to Sam Windsor who was able to power over the line with a number of defenders holding on to him. Johnny McPhillips converted to leave the score 7-0.

Naas took control of the game for the next 15 minutes, scoring two tries through Fionn Carr and Will O’Brien which were the result of missed tackles. Peter Osbourne, who had a great day from the tee, converted both.

The Hinch attack was functioning when they retained possession and it wasn’t long before they got back on the score board with Windsor and Grattan linking to put Nicholson over in the left corner.

McPhillips converted from the touch line to tie the game up at 14-14.

Naas got a penalty in their own half which led to a line-out five metres from the home side’s line. After a succession of pick-and-gos Eoin Walsh managed to get his way over the line. Osbourne converted.

Almost immediately a ped ball from the home side bounced into the hands of replacement back row Paulie Tolofua and he showed enough pace to run in from 45 metres out for the bonus point try. ‘Hinch trailed 26-14 at the break.

The visitors continued to capitalise on the home side’s errors and another score followed when right wing Rob O’Connor went over.

Ballynahinch finally seemed to lift their game and with 18 minutes remaining were camped in the Naas 22.

Unfrotunately, a pass five metres from the line was intercepted and despite the cover defence getting back to tackle Carr, the ball was recycled quickly and David Benn smashed his way over for another Naas try which Osbourne converted.

Hinch responded with two quick-fire tries through David Busby and Kenny Morton to close the score to 38-26, but as they threw everything at the visitors to try and get a losing bonus point, a penalty was conceded and with the last play of the game Osbourne converted to leave the final score 41-26.

Hinch travel to Galwegians next week knowing that a much-improved performance will be needed if they are to take a positive result away from Crowley Park.

Ballynahinch: Johnny McPhillips, Steve McCauley; Jordan Grattan, Sam Windsor, Davy Nicholson; Ross Carlisle, Angus Lloyd; Jonny Simpson, Jonny Murphy, Craig Trenier, Kenny Morton, John Donnan, Conor Joyce, Connor Phillips, Michael Graham (capt). Replacements: Jonny Blair, Joe Roe, Keith Dickson, Chris Orr, David Busby.

Naas: Peter Osborne; Rob O’Connor, Johne Murphy, Henry Bryce, Fionn Carr; Michael Skelton, Max Whittingham; Adam Coyle, Graham Reynolds, Jason Harney, Stephen Kinneavy, David Benn, Paul Monahan, Will O’Brien (capt), Eoin Walsh. Replacements: Warren Larkin, Jordan Duggan, Paulie Tolofua, Andrew Kearney, Ben Swindlehurst.