Sweet sixteen for Ballynahinch

Sweet sixteen for Ballynahinch

6 November 2024

BALLYNAHINCH continued their run of good form with an excellent home victory over Malone.

They were slow to come out of the blocks and were punished when a great break in midfield from Malone forced the home side to concede a penalty under their own posts. The kick was duly dispatched to ease the away side into the lead.

This seemed to spark the home side into life and they played some sparkling rugby to put the game to bed before half time.

Ethan Donaldson set things off with a great steal and chip for Jackson Buchanan to kick ahead and gather. When he was stopped just short a Thomas McPhillips carry allowed Jack Patterson to pick and go for the score.

The Ballynahinch set-piece was working well and allowing them to carry hard at the Malone defence with Patterson making his presence felt.

This drew in the Malone defenders and fast hands sent Matthew Fitzsimons over.

The home side scored again straight from the kickoff when a superb McPhillips offload sent Maxwell Buchanan scampering over in the corner.

The electric Harvey Campbell then chipped in with a fine individual try to take his side into half-time with a big lead. They were well worth it with backs and forwards combing for some excellent rugby.

Despite some stern Malone resistance, the lead was extended early in the second half when the outstanding Patterson showed all his power and pace to touch down following a series of punishing forward drives.

Ballynahinch took the opportunity to give game time to their bench and lost a little of their cohesion.

Malone were eventually rewarded for their efforts with a late try.

The final score was a fair reflection on the game and the ‘Hinch coaching team were delighted with both the performance and the opportunity to get the wider squad involved.

‘Hinch are top of their league section with four wins from four with a tricky away fixture against Instonians this weekend.