Crawford Cup Match Report
Ballynahinch 5’s 22 Clogher Valley 2’s 7
(Richard McKelvey reports from Ballymacarn)
Ballynahinch 5’s season has been inconsistent so far and the team went into the first round of the Crawford Cup against Clogher Valley 2s from the league above needing a massive improvement from the previous week.
From the start the Hinch men were on the attack deep inside the oppositions half and after a number of phases Valley conceded a penalty. Chris Bishop stood up and slotted it over to get the first points on the board. Hinch and Valley exchanged possession of the ball but the Hinch men were the stronger team with second row Will Carlisle bursting through the line of defence to score a try. Bishop converted.
The closest valley came to scoring in the first half was a driving maul from a lineout in Hinch’s 22, but brilliant defence from Michael Evans and Ian Smith turned the ball over and scrumhalf Jonny Orr cleared with a lengthy kick. Just before the half time whistle Hinch struck again thorough a well scripted back line move from out-half Richard McKelvey with Andrew Keatley on the end of it to drive over the line. Bishop on form with the boot added the extra points to leave the home side 17-0 up at half time.
Hinch started the second half bursting with confidence however Clogher Valley had most of the possession but thanks to Hinch’s almost flawless defence they never made the try line. Brilliant work from the pack twice seen the ball held up over the line with Stuart Elwood and Andrew Napier coming to Hinch’s rescue.
Valley eventually scored from a lineout 5 metres out from the try line with a well drilled driving maul. However Hinch weren’t finished with the men from Fermanagh with Jonny Orr taking a quick penalty inside there own 22 and after covering half the pitch popped the ball to Richard McKelvey to score under the posts.
A big performance by all the Hinch men has seen their confidence soar as they look forward to the next round.
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