Ballynahinch 2’s 17 Ballymena 2’s 06
2nd XV League
Match Report – 30.01.16
Kenny Morton reports from Ballymacarn Park.
Saturday’s match started in tough conditions following a dusting of snow and a fierce wind towards the clubhouse.
Hinch won the toss and opted to play into the wind. Ballymena benefited from the worsening conditions, taking the lead with a penalty in front of the posts. Hinch were reduced to 14 men after 2nd Row Jonny Turner went off with an ankle injury.
Hinch battled hard into a snow blizzard but did concede another penalty. Thankfully the weather settled and Hinch went in 6 nil down at half time.
With the wind behind them, and buoying by a sterling first half defensive effort, Hinch imposed their attacking style on Ballymena.
Hinch got the first try on board 15 minutes into the 2nd half when Joe Bingham spotted a gap at the side of the ruck and broke from the halfway line. One on one with the fullback he sidestepped past the Ballymena full back to score under the posts.
Joe Bingham then got his 2nd try of the game 10 minutes later, a Ballynahinch line out and drive close to the line resulted in a few rucks on the Ballymena line.
Again Joe Bingham spotted a gap and was able to go over the line.
The last try came from another Ballynahinch line take by Andrew Simpson, close maul from the forwards with Captain Keith Dickson scoring.
A great effort from both sets of players in tough conditions. Notable mentions for Ross Carlise at 10, Gareth Gill and Ben Pentland in the forwards. The win keeps Hinch unbeaten in the 2nd XV league so far.
Team 1-15:
B.Cullen, B.Pentland, A.Gordon, J.Turner, A.Simpson, K.Dickson, C.Phillips, G.Gill, J.Bingham, R.Carlisle, A.Ferris, D.Nicholson, P.Wright, C.Orr, M.Carson.
