‘Hinch held at home by UCD

‘Hinch held at home by UCD

11 January 2012

BALLYNAHINCH missed out on reclaiming top spot, especially after Harlequins surprisingly beat Ballymena at Deramore on Friday night, when they were held to a draw by the Dublin students.

Playing with the wind advantage in the first half, the visitors raced into an early lead when out half Niall Earls converted two penalty goals in the second and fourth minutes to take his side six points clear.

The ‘Hinch responded with a try in the ninth minute from full back David Nicholson, after they had worked a number of phases to put Nicholson clear, and with a man outside, he dummied and crossed for a well taken score.

UCD wasted no time in hitting back, their lively half backs, Niall Earls and Peter De Toit, creating the opening after the restart, De Toit crossing just left the posts for the visitors first try which went unconverted taking them 11-5 clear.

In the 33rd minute UCD number 8 Richie Bent did well to clear from the back of a retreating scrum sending De Toit into space down the blind side.

As ‘Hinch out half James Lash attempted to tackle, he lost his footing and a gap opened with winger Sam Coughlan Murray collecting the wide pass to sprint into the right hand corner for his side’s second try.

Earls added the extras from the touchline to increase the visitor’s tally to 18 points.

In the final minute of the first half poor discipline again cost the ‘Hinch points as Earls landed a long-range penalty goal to leave his side with a comfortable 21-5 advantage at the interval

Now playing with the wind advantage, the ‘Hinch turned down a couple of kickable penalties early in the second half. opting instead to set up catch-and-drives in the corners, but the well organised students’ defence held firm.

Lash eventually increased the ‘Hinch tally to eight points after he converted a penalty goal in the 54th minute.

Play at this stage was all Ballynahinch and in the 56th minute sustained pressure from the home side created room for centre Stuart Morrow to cross in the right hand corner for the second home try which went unconverted.

UCD managed to hold onto the ball for the next ten minutes, but a great kick from ‘Hinch scrum half Harry McAleese rolled into the visitors’ 22 and hit the corner flag keeping the students deep in their 22.

In the 70th minute ‘Hinch attacked again and as Lash attempted a wide ball in front of the UCD posts, it was deliberately knocked on giving Lash an easy opportunity to convert closing the gap to 21-16.

In the final minutes it was all pressure from the home side as they attempted to force a winning try.

After a long period camped in the UCD 22, the ball was moved right and with just three minutes remaining centre James Thompson did well for force his way over in the right hand corner.

Ballymacarn Park held its breath as Lash attempted the touchline conversion, which narrowly missed the right hand upright leaving the score tied 21-21.

Poor discipline and a large error count will be boldly underlined in the notebooks of Derek Suffern and Charlie McAleese as they prepare for the trip to Limerick this weekend to face UL Bohemians.

Bohs had an encouraging away win in Galway last weekend so back on home turf this Saturday they will want to maintain that success, ‘Hinch will have to be at their best to stay top of 1B.

Ballynahinch: David Nicholson, Aaron Ferris, Stuart Morrow, James Thompson, Robin Harte, James Lash, Harry McAleese, Jonny Graham, Keith Dickson, Jonny Madden, Chris Napier, James Simpson, Jerry Cronin, Neil Hanna, Kyle McCall. Replacements: Aaron Cairns, Mark McCormick, Toby Manus, Gavin Armstrong, Jonny Simpson.

Ballynahinch 21

UCD 21

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE