Hinch U14’s 17 Armagh U14’s 10
14 October 2017.
Once again, the points went the way of Hinch in what turned out to be a pulsating game at Armagh on Saturday.
Armagh, the reigning league champions from last year, were always going to be a challenge for Hinch, but the away team came from behind to take the points and take their second win of the season.
The game was barely ten minutes old when Armagh scored from the first meaningful attack of the half. The Armagh forwards secured the ruck and exposed a gap in the Hinch back line to score beside the posts and take a deserved lead.
The Hinch response was instant and out half Cameron Patterson took the game to Armagh immediately from the restart. Hinch quickly regained possession and it was the Hinch forwards turn to batter their opponents at the breakdown.
The ball was quickly spread across the back line and Winger Sam Pour lured his opposite man perfectly before popping the pass to the supporting Patterson, who touched down under the posts.
Unfortunately, a disputed offside call meant that the away team did not go into the break level, as the composed Armagh out half slotted over a penalty to give them a 10-7 lead at the half.
That was to be the last moment of Armagh success as Hinch controlled the second half from the start. Defence stability was insured with some excellent tackling from Patterson and winger Mark McAleenan.
That allowed the Hinch forwards the security they needed to go after the winning score. Ten minutes before the end, Hinch secured a penalty 22 metres out and after three phases of play, returning prop Kai Shields burst through from five metres to give Hinch the lead near the left corner.
This was followed by some immediate pressure from Armagh, who kicked the ball on several occasions only to be foiled by full back Jojo Naga. The result was finally secured by the unstoppable Matthew Torney, who muscled his way over the line to give Hinch some breathing space. Hinch play Malone in a top of the table clash next Saturday.
Hinch 1-8: Anthony Donnelly, Stephen Crawford, Kai Shields, Guy Crichton, Luke Braithwaite, Matthew Torney (C) Brendan McKenna, Logan Mallon
Hinch 9-15: Tiernan Keating, Cameron Patterson, Mark McAleenan, Peter Gordon, Scott McKibben, Sam Pour, Jojo Naga
Replacements: Thomas Owen, Josh Graham, Luke Hamilton, Kobi Dunn, Leon Orsi, Finn Heaney, Matt Boyle, Ryan Knox.
