Ballynahinch 5’s  27  Belfast Harlequins 3’s  o
Match Report – 28.12.13
Peter McKee reporting from Ballymacarn Park
After the Christmas break Ballynahinch 5’s welcomed Harlequins to Ballymacarn Park and were eager to avenge a defeat in the away fixture in their first game of the season. The conditions were dry and allowed some nice rugby to be played.
The first ten minutes was a battle between the packs and on the 10 minute mark a strong catch in the line-out on the Quins 22 by Andrew Napier lead to a drive which saw a carry from 15 meters out by David Prentice to go over for a well-deserved score. The conversion was missed. 5 – 0 to Ballynahinch.
On 15 minutes another strong drive by the pack allowed scrum half David Murdock to sell his opposite number a dummy to dive over for a try. Richard McKelvey converted to make it 12 – 0 to Ballynahinch.
A tetchy last five minutes to the first half followed and no further score was made by either side.
From the restart second row Tim McKee made a number of strong carries and line breaks. Aaron Samuels and Chris Hughes also strong in the contact. On 45 minutes Quins found themselves off-side and Richard McKelvey stepped up to slot the penalty. 15 – 0 to Hinch.
Quins dominated the next 15 minute period but some strong defence by Hinch made sure they didn’t get on the score-board.
On 63 minutes out-half Fraser Bowsie found some space inside the Quins half after a strong scrum. Bowsie fed wing Jason Barr who beat the last man to go over for the score. The conversion was missed. 20 – 0 to Ballynahinch.
The final score of the day created a very special moment for the 5’s. Strong work again by the pack saw last year’s 5’s player of the season Stuart Hodges pick up the ball from 10 meters out and drive his way over for his first ever try at senior rugby level. Richard McKelvey was good with the conversion to make it 27 – 0 to Ballynahinch.
The 5’s now have a free week before heading to Limavady.
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