Terenure College 09 Ballynahinch RFC 29
(UBL)
Match Report – 30.01.16
Richard Hart reports from Lakelands Park.
Ballynahinch dug deep in defence to see out their first away league win since beating Dolphin in Cork last March, as they toppled Terenure College 20-9 on the plastic pitch at Lakelands Park.
Wind-backed ‘Hinch did all of their scoring in the first half, an early converted try from their number 8 and Ireland Sevens international David McGuigan, who profited from an advancing five-metre scrum, setting them on their way.
Ace place-kicker Chris Quinn took his tally to 83 points for the campaign with two penalties and the conversion of fellow winger Jordan Grattan’s try which came from a bouncing ball which favoured the visitors.
That left Terenure trailing 20-3 at the turnaround, their attack struggling to break down a well-organised ‘Hinch defence who were down to 14 men nearing the break, with Mike Graham in the sin bin.
The Dubliners, winless in the last three rounds, mounted a strong comeback on the resumption as Jake Swaine slotted over two penalties and ‘Hinch’s Ulster-capped blindside Conor Joyce saw yellow.
The County Down outfit’s defence clearly won the day, with dogged and defiant tackling, too well organised for Terenure College to broach, Coach Derek Suffern was delighted with the ‘show of strength’ in defence from his entire squad.
Nonetheless, ‘Hinch really had the bit between their teeth and deservedly prevailed to pick up their third win in four matches, with only three points now separating the bottom three in the table – ‘Hinch (16), ‘Nure (17) and Galwegians (19). The latter two have a game in hand.
This weekend sees Cork Constitution FC make the long journey north to Fortress Ballymacarn and a big turnout is expected to support the men in emerald green and blue as they continue the turnaround of their fortunes in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League in the fight for survival.
Ballynahinch RFC:
1. Jonny Simpson 2. Jonny Murphy 3. Craig Trenier 4. James Simpson 5. Mike Graham 6. Conor Joyce 7. Paul Pritchard (Captain) 8. David McGuigan 9. Paul Rowley 10. Justin Rea 11. Aaron Cairns 12. Jordan Grattan 13. Robin Harte 14. Chris Quinn 15. Mani Eden
Replacements:
16. Jonny Blair (P) 17. Zack McCall (H) 18. Gareth Gill 19. David Busby 20. Will Stewart.
