Ballynahinch sink Dolphin

7 December 2016

BALLYNAHINCH ended their two-match losing streak with a superior second half display in downing Dolphin 35-19 at Irish Independent Park on Saturday.

Munster loan signing Angus Lloyd used last-minute scrum ball to squeeze through for ‘Hinch’s bonus point try as they bounced back from last week’s derby defeat by Ballymena.

The nip-and-tuck nature of the first half was reflected on the scoreboard with Dolphin 12-11 ahead at the turnaround.

Centre Kevin Allen scored close to the posts and flanker Ryan Murphy followed him over in the 25th minute as the hosts led 12-6.

But ‘Hinch replacement Willie Stewart finished well wide on the right to make it a one-point game.

Five minutes into the second half Ballynahinch went in front when hooker Jonny Murphy was driven over for a try which was converted.

Ballynahinch’s forwards began to take over and lock James Simpson muscled his way over the try in the 55th minute following a well-executed line-out maul from five metres out.

Full-back Chris Quinn, who finished with 15 crisply-struck points, converted and added a penalty to leave Dolphin 16 points behind and with time not on their side.

The Cork men got the deficit back to nine courtesy of winger Gerry Ryan’s 68th-minute try.

However, Lloyd made certain of the away win and a valuable bonus point with Derek Suffern’s side now just two points outside of the top four. Dolphin have fallen back into the bottom two.

Ballynahinch: Chris Quinn; Davy Nicholson, Chris Orr, Stuart Morrow, Jordan Grattan; James McBriar, Angus Lloyd; Jonny Blair, Jonny Murphy, Jonny Simpson, Michael Graham (capt), James Simpson, Conor Joyce, Callum Irvine, Lorcan Dow.

Replacements: Chris Stevenson, Andrew Harper, Stewart Evans, Conor Phillips, Willie Stewart.

Ballynahinch try scorers: Willie Stewart, Jonny Murphy, James Simpson, Angus Lloyd. Conversions: Chris Quinn (3). Penalties: Chris Quinn (3).

Dolphin 19

Ballynahinch 35

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