Coleraine seconds had the perfect start to 2012 with a superb win over current Junior league 1 champions Ballynahinch. Since being well beaten at the start of the season in the corresponding away fixture, Coleraine have matured as a team and this was the big win they needed to prove they were title contenders again. ‘Hinch turned up with large mobile pack and some strong running backs but in the end, solid defence and excellent discipline (for once!) were the key to this hard fought win.
The game opened up uneventfully enough with Coleraine putting the ball into touch after a simple catch and drive. However, barely 3 minutes were registered on the clock before ‘Hinch crossed for the first score of the afternoon, after the ‘Hinch left winger caught a loose kick and grubbered the ball through the on-rushing Coleraine defence. As the ball neared the goal line, the last Coleraine defender was caught in two (or three) minds whether to pick it up, kick it or let it go over the try line. Unfortunately none of these viable options were selected, and the ‘Hinch fullback nipped round the corner to take the ball over the line to score the try. This was just the start Coleraine didn’t want, but was a good wake-up call that if they were going to win this game, they would need to be focused and concentrate in every aspect of the game.
Then Coleraine managed to get some reasonable possession and territory and after another 10 minutes eventually were given a kickable penalty about 30 metres out. Out-half Nathan Barr made good contact into the wind but just drifted wide of the left hand upright. ‘Hinch put some good phases together to make some in-roads through the Coleraine defence. But the Coleraine defence stood firm, and eventually managed a turnover from which blind-side flanker Alex Gourley made a break out from the Coleraine 22. Running 30 or so metres down the right touchline, Alex passed inside to Stevie Callaghan, and then the ball was fired wide to his fellow winger Alan Gourley, who showed good hands and speed to finish an excellent try. Barr tied the score up with an accurate conversion, and it was game on. But then ‘Hinch began to dominate the forward battle, with well drilled rucking and mauling, and had a soild front row unit that made mincemeat of a number of Coleraine scrums. Coleraine defended well and did well not to prevent any further scores in the half.
The second half was a rather tight-fisted affair with neither side wanting to give much away in was what clearly becoming a crucial match to win or lose. ‘Hinch continued to dictate play up front for long periods of time but could not break down the blue wall in front of them. The defensive line was led by young centre John McClelland, who went about his business in the usual fashion, battering anything that moved in a ‘Hinch jersey in a number of thundering collisions. Andy McKnight also had some nice moments at scrum-half with sniping breaks and gaining penalties from turn-over ball. Eventually Coleraine managed to get some field position and ‘Hinch gave away a penalty for a high tackle, which Barr stroked over from just outside the 22 with about 10 minutes left. ‘Hinch were now under pressure to run everything but failed to capitalise, mis-firing in a few crucial line-outs. Coleraine, when in possession were able to put boot to ball and wound down the clock camped on the ‘Hinch line to seal a great win.
Super effort from the 2XV who showed excellent discipline and defensive skills to come out on top. However, this must followed up in the next few weeks with an away fixture at Omagh next on the cards that could be a potential banana skin before a home game against table-topping Clogher Valley.
Coleraine 2XV: P Shiels, S Callaghan, R Naea, J McClelland, Alan Gourley, N Barr, A McKnight, A Nevin, S Evans, A Teasey, M Hunt, W Chestnutt, Alex Gourley, H Tate, R Caskey
