| Ballynahinch travelled to Limerick on Saturday in search of more vital Ulster Bank League points as they attempt to remain top of Division 1B as the campaign reaches the halfway point. The Annacotty pitch was in perfect condition as the home side kicked off. The Hinch made the perfect start when flanker Keith Dickson intercepted on his 10-metre line and made great ground into the Bohs 22 where he passed for James Thompson to cross for the opening try with just 4 minutes on the clock. James Lash converted the extras to take the Hinch 0-7 clear.
In the 8th minute Bohs took a ball back into their 22 then kicked it into touch on the full. Chris Napier secured the ball form touch and the backs flashed play wide where Aaron Ferris cut a lovely angle and made good ground before creating the space to send Stuart Morrow clear to touch down beside the posts. Lash again added the extras taking the Hinch into an early 0-14 lead.
In the 13th minute Lash converted a penalty goal from 30 metres out to increase the Hinch lead to 17 points after Bohs failed to roll away at the breakdown.
Hinch failed to roll away at the breakdown in the 17th minute and Bohs fly half JJ Hanrahan converted from 35 metres to make it 3-17.
The Hinch momentum started to stall when the first of a series of injuries began to disrupt the flow of the game. Keith Dickson picked up a knock to his knee and was replaced by John Donnan.
Bohs took the initiative and began to control play for the next 10 minutes taking play through a number of phases they were eventually rewarded a kickable penalty but they took a quick tap then knocked the ball on allowing the Hinch to clear the danger.
In the 32nd minute Lash split the home defence and raced clear to kick the ball deep into the Bohs 22 where he managed to force a 5-metre scrum. The Hinch looked as if they were about to score a third try but the home defence did enough to hold them out and they scrambled to clear their line.
In the 35th minute Chris Napier had to leave the field with a recurrence of the injury he picked up over the Christmas period and was replaced by Gavin Armstrong as the Hinch turned round at the interval leading 3-17.
In the 2nd minute of the second half the home side had Finbar Ahern yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Hinch fullback David Nicholson but despite having an extra man the County Down men never made their advantage count and they failed to add to their score during the next ten minutes.
In the 50th minute the Hinch were caught offside at ruck and Bohs again kicked the ball into the corner. This time they used their possession well to manufacture a 3 on 2 overlap sending Ben Martin over for an unconverted try in the corner. 8-17
Five minutes later the home side were caught offside in front of their posts and Lash added another 3 points to his sides tally taking them 8-20 clear.
|
 |
From the restart Bohs started to build the phases again and eventually the Hinch infringed with James Thomson receiving a yellow card for coming into the ruck from the side. At this stage the game turned in favour of the home side as they began to dominate play. It was all hands to the pump as the Hinch scrambled to clear their line on more than one occasion.
In the 65th minute the pressure from the home side eventually took its toll and winger Rory White took his chance well to race over in the corner for another unconverted try to close the gap to 13-20.
By now the home side had the bit between their teeth, and when the game restarted they again used their forwards dominated proceedings with well-organised pick and drives. In the 70th minute the Hinch were penalised at the breakdown giving Hanrahan the opportunity to close the gap to just 4 points at 16-20 with the final 10 minutes remaining to play.
It was a nail biting last 10 for the large travelling Hinch support as the Bohs side pushed hard to cause an upset, but the County Down men battled hard to hold onto their lead and despite just playing with scraps they managed to keep Bohs at bay. In the final minutes Lash missed two clearance kicks to touch just to make things interesting for the Hinch followers. Hanrahan had a drop at goal which drifted wide of the mark then in the final minute Bohs went for a catch and drive but the Hinch managed to hold them out. The final play was a five-metre scrum and again the Hinch were under massive pressure but somehow they disrupted the Bohs attacking scrum and cleared their line to end the match.
A hard fought victory, and in the end it was a game which took its toll on the Hinch squad with Chris Napier, Keith Dickson and Neil Hanna adding to a growing injury list.
The good news was the 4 points away from home have put the Hinch 1 point clear at the top of Division 1B, but Ulster rivals Dungannon, and Harlequins had bonus point wins to close the gap at the top.
This weeks break in the competition will be a welcome relief for coaches Derek Suffern and Charlie McAleese before their side visit Deramore Park on the 28th January and then host Dungannon on the first Saturday in February. A big two weeks of rugby to look forward to at the end of this month.
This Saturday City of Derry will visit Ballymacarn Park for the Ulster Senior League, but in view of what lies ahead it will be an interesting selection meeting this week as the Hinch manage their players to the best of their ability. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
|
Principal Sponsor 
