Ballynahinch 2’s 41 Enniskillen 12.
Conference League.
James Kirk reporting from Ballymacarn.
Ballymacarn Park was bathed in sunshine as the seconds got back to winning ways after a tame defeat to Clogher Valley in the Junior Cup the previous week. Coach David Harris will be pleased with the excellent display with ball in hand and also with how his forwards bounced back to dominate a physically bigger Enniskillen pack.
He was also able to welcome back centre Davy Nicholson to add his experience to a young backline and with captain Chris Gibson calling the shots from scrumhalf there was clear direction in their play throughout.
Enniskillen proved hard to shake off in a fairly even first half. Ballynahinch were playing into a strong breeze and sought to keep the ball in hand as much as possible. Ben McMullan continued his excellent early season form, scoring an early try to settle any nerves, and when Eamon McAnulty bulldozed his way over to make it 10-0 the home side looked comfortable. Enniskillen managed to gain a foothold in the match in the second quarter and scored a try through their forwards to make the half time score 10-7.
Turning around with the wind on their backs Ballynahinch looked to dominate field position and move the big Enniskillen forwards around. They went further ahead with another McMullan score and were banging on the Enniskillen line moments later only to lose possession and watch lighning quick Enniskillen scrum half go the entire length of the park to take his team back to within one score at 17-12.
Credit must go to the locals as they bounced back from this potential turning point to blow the opposition away in the final quarter with 4 unanswered tries. McAnulty added a second while hard working flankers Stuart Elwood and Kieran McAuley were rewarded for a fine afternoon’s work with a try apiece and Nicholson typically grabbed the glory by running in the final try despite visibly running out of gas ten yards before the line.
A tough trip to Junior Rugby kingpins Ballyclare is next on the agenda but Harris and his cohort Ian Dornan will hope this young side continue to progress and with players to return over the next month they will be relatively optimistic about the season ahead.
