Ballynahinch stay in chase for title

18 January 2017

BALLYNAHINCH made the long journey to Judges Road in Londonderry to take on basement club City of Derry, knowing only a bonus point win would allow them to remain competitive in the title race.

Ballynahinch needed a bonus point win to ensure they remained in contention for the title, but despite being without several regulars, confidence was high in the camp.

‘Hinch started strongly as expected, but it was the home side scrum half who dotted down first, with the conversion following.

The visitors responded immediately with a pass from Justin Rea and an outstanding break by Callum McLaughlin, who passed inside to the charging Stuart Morrow.

Morrow continued the break before drawing the final tackler to release McLaughlin to equalise the score, with Chris Quinn adding the extras.

Next on the scoresheet was captain Mike Graham with an unconverted try after a strong rolling maul from a ‘Hinch line out, but City of Derry were not to be out done at this stage and came back with a converted try of their own to take a 14-12 half-time lead.

‘Hinch coach Derek Suffern had some severe words for his charges at half-time and a different side came onto the pitch to take on a tiring home team. Gareth Gill made his presence felt immediately as Stewart Evans put him through a gap in the Derry defence to run in under the sticks with Quinn adding to his tally, 14-19.

Will Stewart got the next points and the hugely important bonus point try, as a weak and high tackle on Paddy Wright saw the resultant penalty kicked to the corner and the line out in Hinch's favour.

The resulting maul saw the ball moved to Stewart, coming into the line at pace and breaking the defensive line to score and Quinn adding the extras, 14-26.

City of Derry were now on their uppers as the visitors turned the screw with hooker Andrew Harper breaking from his own 22, moving the ball to Paddy Wright then Evans, who made a big carry.

The ball was quickly recycled to Quinn coming into the line at pace from the full back position, who then beat three tacklers to go in under the posts and convert his own try, 14-33.

New signing Tom Stanley was next up. A loose kick was collected by Quinn who moved it to Wright. He drew the tackler and offloaded to Stapley, who was able to cross the line to dot down, with the extras missed friends a difficult angle.

Against the flow of play and the dominance of the ‘Hinch, Derry pressure saw them manage a converted try in the corner, but the final say of the game came down to Suffern's charges as scrum half Jonny Murdock was put over in the corner from an initial break from Tom Stapley, converted by Quinn.

‘Hinch are still very much in contention to reclaim the Stevenson Shield and the SONI Ulster Premiership title, but now have to rely on Armagh folding to the pressure of their title chase, whilst Ballymena try to salvage some UBL Division 1B pride by beating the Orchard County side, or at least holding them to less than four tries.

All eyes will be watching this clash once it gets re-arranged, but in the meantime ‘Hinch look to a visit to Leinster Cup holders Old Belvedere RFC on Saturday at Anglesea Road in Dublin 4 in the semi-final of the All-Ireland Bateman Cup.

There is a supporters' bus being run to Dublin, but places are limited.

Anyone wishing to book a place should contact the Richard Hart via email on sec@hinchrfc.com.

City of Derry 21

Ballynahinch 45

SONI PREMIER DIVISION 1

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder