Ulster Senior League Match Report – 11.01.14
xa0Dungannon xa03 xa0 Ballynahinch xa036.
David Napier reports from Stevenson Park
With a watery sunshine at their backs Hinch kicked off in this rearranged Ulster League Game.xa0 After a bout of ineffectual kicking the first opportunity for points fell to Dungannon when Hinch were caught offside at a ruck.xa0 This chance was missed, but after 13 minutes a promising run by Jordan Grattan, who linked well with Matthew Arneill, was halted just short of the Dungannon line.xa0 Due to numerous mistakes by both sidesxa0the game failed to flow.
On 20 minutes the visiting back row fell foul of the Referee’s whistle but again the Dungannon kick went wide.xa0 A successful lineout followed by a good driving maul provided the backs the opportunity to move the ball widexa0allowing Aaron Ferris to cross the whitewash for the County Down side’s first score.xa0 The conversion was missed.
The visitors doubled their try tally when Ferris again crossed the whitewash after a blistering run, evadingxa0five Dungannon defendersxa0to score between the posts.xa0 James McBriar converted.xa0 Robin Harte, who was injured in the lead up to this try, limped off to be replaced by David Nicholson.xa0 Dungannon responded and were successful with a penalty in front of the posts.xa0 On the stroke of half time McBriar spotted a gap in behind the Dungannon defence and the quick-thinking Chris Taylor kicked the loose ball ahead and won the race to the touchdown.xa0 The conversion was missed leaving the half time score 3-17.
Ballynahinch got into their stride quickly in the second half. From a steady scrum Peter Weir fed Nicholson who made good ground before passing to the supporting Dominic Gallagher.xa0 His strength allowed him to hold offxa0two defenders before crossing for the County Down side’s bonus point try.
On 50 minutes Zac McCall replaced Paul Pritchard who was called into action again shortly after this when Peter Weir went off injured.xa0 This necessitated a rejigging of the Hinch back linexa0with McBriar to 9, Grattan to 10 and Pritchard on the wing.xa0xa0McBriar made anxa0excellentxa0blindside breakxa0and found Pritchard in support, some 40m from the Dungannon line.xa0 Pritchard clearly enjoying his new role showed speed and agility to score an excellent try, which was converted.
A number of injuries by both sides added to the stop start nature of the game.xa0 With Dungannon down to 14 players an excellent break by Zac McCall took play deep into the home side’s 22.xa0 His off-load was superbly picked up by Gallagher who wentxa0on to scorexa0his side’s 6th try.xa0 McBriar’s successful conversion brought proceedings to an end.
Hinch Firsts Team: Chris Taylor, Matthew Nelson, Stuart Orr, Matty McKeown, Michael Graham, Dominic Gallagher, Paul Pritchard, Neil Falloon, Peter Weir, James McBriar, Aaron Ferris, Robin Harte, Stuart Morrow (Capt), Jordan Grattan, Matthew Arneill, Keith Hamilton, David Nicholson, Zac McCall.
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