Ballynahinch II’s XV 43-0 Instonians 2nd XV
Chris Parker reports from Ballymacarn Park
Ballynahinch 2nd XV remain top of the 2nd XV league after a comprehensive 43-0 victory over Instonians. Hinch started brightly and looked dangerous in the wide channels, it wasn’t long before the first score arrived when Nicholson broke the line and drew the full back to give fellow winger Jordan Heatley a run in for his 11th try of the season, the conversion was unsuccessful.
Hinch used the strong wind to their advantage with McBriar pinning Instonians back in their own 22. The seconds were more physical than their opponents and from a dominant scrum, Morton released McMullan on the blind side and he had enough pace to get in at the corner and take the score to 10-0. Hinch continued to put Inst under pressure but at times the last pass didn’t go to hand and scoring opportunities were lost.
McBriar continued to dictate proceedings and after numerous phases in the Inst 22, he produced a delicate chip over the on rushing defence for Nicholson to regather and score in the corner, unfortunately the conversion went the wrong side of the uprights. The wind made it very difficult for Instonians to get out of their own half and Hinch knew with those conditions more points would be needed before half time.
The back three of Nicholson, Heatley and Saunders had caused the Inst defence a lot of problems and Saunders added his name to the score sheet with a superb individual score where he beat 4 defenders with excellent footwork to go in under the posts. McBriar added the extras to leave Hinch ahead 22-0 at half time.
Playing into the wind in the second half Hinch knew ball retention would be vital to allow them to get out of their own half. Instonians used the wind to press Hinch back into their own 22 but superb defence from Jordan McMullan, Conor Phillips and Phil Orr kept the Belfast side out. Once the seconds had the ball they managed to play their way out of trouble with Stuart Orr and Arneill carrying very well.
The Instonians defence was beginning to fall off tackles and following superb support play Donaldson made a break in midfield and from the half way line broke clear, fended off the full back and scored under the posts, McBriar added the extras. The seconds knew they couldn’t slack off and had to keep the pressure on and a few minutes later James made a break on the Instonians 10m line and ran in unopposed to score; McBriar again was successful with the conversion to bring the score to 36-0.
The seconds saved the best score for last when after great carries by Morton and Samuels, Matty Adams took the offload to run in from the 10m line, McBriar did the necessary with the conversion and the ref brought the game to an end with Hinch running out comprehensive 43-0 victors.
This was another accomplished performance by the seconds, who played some superb rugby in hard conditions and it takes their unbeaten streak to 10 games. Next week the seconds face Armagh in another important league clash, the seconds defeated Armagh earlier in the year but they know they will face a more difficult challenge at the Palace Grounds next Saturday.
Ballynahinch 2’s 43 – Instonians 2’s 0
Team: C. Saunders, J. Healtey, P. James, M. Arneill, D. Nicholson, J. McBriar, B. McMullan, G. Morton, J. Donaldson, J. McMullan, P. Orr, M. Adams, S. Orr, C. Phillips, A. Samuels
