Just one third of the Malone side that took to the field at Gibson Park on the last Saturday before Christmas turned up for the away fixture at Ballymacarn Park, due to their second fifteen having a fixture this weekend. So this time an even contest on a level playing field, well, as level as is possible on the Golan Heights. After months at the mercy of heaving frosts following on from weeks of saturation the pitch had the consistency of a Banoffee pudding coated in a layer of molasses topped of with a drizzle of golden syrup.

It’s been a tough season at the selection table for Ben Wilson with very few players committing week in week out. All year it has been a struggle to find a regular hooker, number eight, scrum half and inside centre – the spine of any side. So once again there were further changes up front and recalls to McKibben and Stanley in the back-line.

It was a typically ageing but physically large Malone side that took to the field and the early exchanges looked a little ominous for Ballynahinch. Malone were keen to run the ball back from deep positions and utilised the number eight pick-up on the blindside to good effect. Blindside wingers ran good angles into the line but the Hinch midfield of Stanley and Wilson held firm and McDowell tackled impressively on the fringes. Hinch’s lighter scrum functioned well with Hanna looking secure at loose head and Robertson working hard to keep the Malone tight-head held in. Parity then in the scrums and a useful enough line out with Smith taking clean ball from Colin ‘The Crafty Cockney’ Rea’s precision throwing.

Hinch however seemed to be hesitant in the loose and allowed Malone to dominate, the rolling maul yet again being the Hinch eights undoing but less so than lasts weeks capitulation at Ballymena.

Malone went close on two occasions grounding the ball on the wrong side of the white wash and then having their outhalf held up by the Hinch back three. With the half nearing the close Malone had a solitary penalty to show for their efforts and just as Hinch looked to challenge the try line, Gregg who had done well to counter from left to right saw his pass intercepted with three men lining up on the overlap. Malone’s left wing had an unstoppable start on the Hinch men who had to turn heel, and a try against the run of play saw Malone take a ten point lead into the turn around.

The second half saw a very flat Malone defence put a lot of pressure on the Fives backline. Good ball was squandered with a series of fumbles as Hinch ran sideways across the park. They seemed unable to run from deep or inject any pace into the line. The sticky gutter hole of a pitch didn’t help the fleet of foot and chances went a begging. Malone swapped props with great effect and Hinch’s once stable scrum started to reel. McKibben however remained cool and continued to find Bell with a well executed pass and kicked well when needed, the pick of the backs on the day. McDowell put in more big hits and Smith was the only Hinch forward willing to pick up and go, making a number of runs that opened up the game.
Malone again were held up over the line on at least two occasions and the defences won the remainder of the day. Nil apiece in the second half.

Some positives up front, heroic defence but a backline short on flair and confidence needs to crank it up with just six games to go before the curtain call on the Season. Next week a charabanc ride up to Muff which should suit Hinch’s thirsty Young Turks, an opportunity to get revenge on Inishowen, somewhat fortunate winners of the Fives first encounter of the season.