Hinch Women had a good win over rivals North Down Women
Championship match.
Jane Patton reports.
Final Score: North Down Women 10 Ballynahinch Women 24.
Ballynahinch continued their excellent Championship campaign with victory in blustery conditions over a North Down side who were competitive throughout, despite having won just once in the league this season.
Coach Sara Simms was delighted to welcome back electric centre Jemima Johnston from injury but it was clear that the game would be won and lost up front as North Down fielded a physical pack and looked to use the conditions to their advantage.
The Ballynahinch defence was superb in the first half as they blunted the hard-carrying home forwards and took the lead after some excellent interplay from outhalf Jane Patton and veteran centre Rachel Morton allowed Johnston to mark her return with a superb finish in the corner for the opening score.
North Down hit back from the restart and were eventually able to work their way over the line from close range to tie the match up at the break and Parron and her team knew a big performance was needed in the second half.
Ballynahinch started the second half well and from an excellent scrum Patton made another excellent break only to be hauled down just short of the line where the ever-willing Johnston was on hand to gain the reward for running an excellent support line by picking up and crashing over for the score.
Erin Hodgen then picked up a try from a kick and chase which Patton converted for a 17-5 lead but North Down regrouped and scored another try through their forwards to close the gap going into the final stages.
The result was put beyond doubt when Hodgen made another break and offloaded to the supporting Patton for the clinching try and conversion and an excellent 24-10 victory. Credit must go to the Ballynahinch forwards for matching their North Down counterparts and allowing the backs to play some excellent rugby.
The league table sees them lying in third place with just one fixture left against bottom side Malone 2 before the league is redrawn for the New Year.
Ballynahinch RFC Rugby Round-up for 4th December 2021
Club Notes
It was a day to forget for the senior side in Dublin as they shipped six tries in a 39-0 defeat to Terenure. High-flying Lansdowne are the visitors to Ballymacarn Park this weekend and they have traditionally found it a difficult venue to negotiate so there will be a big incentive to bounce back for a win in the final fixture before the Christmas break in the league programme.
The fourths continued their excellent form with a 52-0 thrashing of Belfast Harlequins thirds. They finished the league programme with five consecutive wins and can be confident going into the second half of the season when the fixtures are redrawn.
Youth Training continues at 7pm on a Monday night. All players U12/U14/U16/U18 welcome and no experience necessary. Contact Michael Preston for details on 07702050192.
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 .
Details of how to purchase tickets for the First XV matches and a full selection of Hinch merchandise can be found on our social media outlets and on the club app.
AIL pre-match lunches are back with Lansdowne the visitors on December 11th. Contact James Shaw 07740308051, Erin Hodgen 07540706564 or David George 07951610151
Results 04/12/2021
Terenure 39 Ballynahinch 0 (AIL Division 1A)
Ballynahinch 31 Dromore 29 (Junior Cup)
Belfast Harlequins 0 Ballynahinch 4 52 (Provincial East 1)
North Down Women 10 Ballynahinch Women 24 (Championship)
Fixtures 11/12/2021
Ballynahinch vs Lansdowne (AIL Division 1A)
Carrick 2 vs Ballynahinch 3 (Provincial Premier 1)
Ballynahinch 4 vs Dungannon 3 (Regional East 1)
Ballynahinch 5 vs City of Derry 3 (McCambley Cup)
