Hinch RFC 1sts struggle against visitors Young Munster in Bateman Cup
Bateman Cup SF,
Final Score: Ballynahinch 10 Young Munster 17
James Kirk reports.
Ballynahinch failed to reach the standards they have set this season in a tame defeat to Limerick rivals Young Munster in the Bateman Cup.
Injuries were certainly a factor with a number of key forwards on the long-term casualty list.
However, the result was there for the taking and Head Coach Adam Craig was disappointed to see his side lose control of the match in the final quarter.
Conditions were extremely poor with heavy rain throughout the match and Young Munster were quickly into their stride, scoring a converted try to back up their early pressure.
Ballynahinch grew into the game and some quick passing from Chris Gibson and Dominic Clapcott saw Ethan Graham finish in the corner.
Conor Rankin added the extras and the teams were tied at seven points all going into the half time interval.
The second half began with Ballynahinch playing towards the clubhouse with the conditions in their favour.
When Conor Piper scored following their first attack to take the lead the local supporters had good reason to believe that a relatively comfortable victory was achievable.
A yellow card allowed Young Munster back into the game and they narrowed the deficit with a well-struck penalty.
The home side failed to control possession as the game moved into the final quarter and were therefore unable to kick for territory as they defended waves of Young Munster attacks.
Eventually the pressure told and the Limerick visitors scored an excellent try in the corner to take the lead with ten minutes to go.
Ballynahinch failed to threaten the Young Munster try line and the game petered out into an uncharacteristically flat defeat for the locals.
Craig and his coaching team will hope to have a few bodies back before this weekend’s trip to champions Terenure in the first game of the AIL season.
Supporters should be aware that the game is to be played behind closed doors due to an issue regarding Terenure supporter behaviour at the AIL final in May.
The match will be streamed live in the clubhouse with kick-off at 2.30pm.
Ballynahinch 1-23: John Dickson, Claytan Milligan, Harry McCormick, Tommy Donnan, Declan Horrox, Callum Irvine, Zack McCall, Bradley Luney, Chris Gibson, Dominic Clapcott, Ethan Graham, Mark Best, Matthew Booth, Aaron Cairns Conor Rankin, Scott Connolly, Conor Piper, Paddy Boomer, Stephen Campbell, Arthur Johnston, Ryan Wilson, Paul Kerr, Stephen MacAuley.
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Hinch Club Notes Round-Up For 30th September 2023
Ballynahinch travel to champions Terenure for the opening fixture in the AIL season.
The game will be played behind closed doors so local supporters can follow the action in the clubhouse via live stream. Ireland vs Scotland will follow at 8pm.
Ballynahinch are flying high in the Women’s Premiership as they continued their unbeaten start with a seven try win over Belfast Harlequins.
City of Derry are the visitors next weekend as the big games keep on coming.
The 5ths took the field with their usual sprinkling of stardust as they overcame Dromore thirds 36-12 to continue their excellent start to the season.
Pre-match lunches are back. To book a place for the opening AIL home game vs Cork Constitution on October 14th contact James Shaw on 07740308051.
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 David Martin, Mini Convenor on 07837944892 or email hinchminis@gmail.com.
Results 30/09/2023
Ballynahinch 14 Young Munster 17 (Bateman Cup)
Ballynahinch 5 36 Dromore 3 12 (Regional South 1))
Harlequins 7 Ballynahinch 39 (Womens Premiership)
Fixtures 07/10/2023
Terenure vs Ballynahinch (AIL 1A))
Ballynahinch vs City of Derry (Womens Premiership) Sunday 2pm
Banbridge 4 vs Ballynahinch 4 (Regional East 1)
Ophir U14/16/18 vs Ballynahinch U14/16/18 (League
