Ballynahinch Firsts Enjoy Sound Home Win Over Garryowen
AIL Division 1A,
Venue Ballymcarrn Park, Ballynahinch: Saturday 26th October 2024,
Ballynahinch 33 7 Garryowen.
Ballynahinch served up a treat for their home supporters as they played some sparkling rugby to earn a third consecutive bonus point win and surge into second place in the Division 1A table, behind Clontarf on points difference writes James Kirk.
The table is much more congested this season and it seems that every team is capable of winning on any given day, making for what looks like a very exciting season ahead.
Adam Craig was able to include Zac Ward for the first time since his return to the Ulster setup and with Aaron Sexton also released the home side had some serious firepower on the wings.
Matthew Burke continued in the front row while Declan Horrox started in the back row in the absence of Marcus Rea and Reuben Crothers.
Playing towards the clubhouse with the benefit of a breeze, the home side blitzed their Limerick opponents in the opening ten minutes with some tremendous attacking rugby.
Sexton was first to score after a punishing carry from Ward and fast hands from the backs. Minutes later Burke’s carry up the middle allowed Mark Best to put George Pringle through on his usual hard line and when he was stopped Conor McKee took the offload to score after running a classic scrum-half support line.
Garryowen battled their way back and eventually scored from close range after a long period of possession but Ballynahinch looked dangerous every time they were in possession and went further ahead when Best offloaded to Pringle and he wrestled his way over from close range.
Ward then scored the bonus point try just before half time when a switch in play allowed Best to flick the ball on for the big winger to run in unopposed.
The second half was a little anticlimactic as Ballynahinch were a little loose and failed to nail a few opportunities.
Ward put the gloss on the scoreboard in the final minutes when he displayed all his sevens skills by taking a crossfield kick from Best and then blasting his way through two defenders to score.
The final winning margin of 26 points by no means flattered the home side who soaked up the threat of a full-strength Garryowen comfortably and looked deadly in attack.
They are loaded with pace and mobility all over the park and on the bench and if they continue at this level will give everyone in this league a headache over the coming months.
Lansdowne are the hosts in the next fixture before a home tie against UCD on 16th November.
Ballynahinch 1-21: Matthew Burke, Claytan Milligan, Kyle McCall, Will Hopes, Ronan McCusker, Declan Horrox, Zack McCall, Bradley Luney (Capt), Conor McKee, Paul Kerr, Zac Ward, Mark Best, George Pringle, Aaron Sexton, Conor Rankin, Callum Smyth, Tom McAllistair, Tom Martin, Peter Heasley, Ruari Meharg, Ethan Graham.
***
Ballynahinch RFC Club Notes For 26 10 24
Ballynahinch battled hard against Malone in the Womens Junior Cup but fell to a 22-0 defeat. They move into the Plate competition and  the League campaign continues versus Banbridge in two weeks time.
The seconds continued their excellent form with a comfortable eight try victory over Queens. They have moved up to second in the table and have home and away fixtures with third place Ballymena coming up.
It has been a difficult season in a very tough league for the thirds and they lost a tight game away to Ballymoney seconds. Better days should be ahead and a win would make all the difference.
The 5ths faced their first real test as they travelled to Armagh to take on their 4ths and came away with an excellent victory to remain top of the table.
The boys youth section continued their impressive start to the season with a clean sweep of wins at Carrickfergus.
The next AIL home fixture is November 16th vs UCD. Pre-match lunch seats can be booked via James Kirk on 07966143184.
Youth Training continues on Mondays at 7pm for boys and Wednesdays at 7pm for girls. All players U12/U14/U16/U18 welcome and no experience necessary. Contact Clifton Quinn for details on 07501228045.
Mini rugby continues on Saturday mornings from 9.30-11am. Boys and girls from P1 – Yr8 are all welcome, with training run for each age group in their school year.
Mini rugby news is posted weekly on the club Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/ballynahinchrfcofficial.
For more details contact Kenny Morton – Mini Convenor on 07813157614 or email:
Results 26/10/2024
Ballynahinch 33 Garryowen 7 (AIL 1A)
Ballynahinch 0 Malone 22 (Womens Junior Cup)
Ballynahinch 2 50 Queens 0 (2nd XV league)
Ballymoney 2 21 Ballynahinch 3 14 (Provincial Prem 1)
Armagh 4 9 Ballynahinch 5 22 (Regional South)
Carrick U18 12 Ballynahinch U18 52
Carrick U16 10 Ballynahinch U16 28
Carrick U14 19 Ballynahinch U14 25.
