5 Tries, A Bonus Point Win, But The Hinch Still Go Down
John Dickson reports from Ballymacarn Park.
Ballynahinch did everything they could possibly do to keep themselves in Division 1B next year, in the end their bonus point win didn’t matter as both Dungannon and Buccaneers won their games sending both Ballymena and the Hinch down.
It was perfect conditions for running rugby at Ballymacarn Park and after a nervous opening 5 minutes it was the visitors who had the opportunity to open the scoring Rory Drysdale’s shot at goal drifted wide of the mark in the 8th minute. The Hinch made no mistake with their first chance, playing towards the clubhouse and with the help of a slight breeze, Ryan Bambry converted a penalty to give the County Down men a 3 point lead.
Former Hinch player Tommy Seymour struck for the visitors in the 17th minute after a good build up from the Braid men sent the winger over in the left hand corner. Drysdale added the extras to give his side a 3-7 lead.
This set back seemed to spur the Hinch into action and from the restart in the 19th minute they attacked through the centre where Stuart Morrow burst clear. Michael Graham helped carry the attack forward then David Drake sent quick ball wide where David Nicholson made it over in the left hand corner. Bambry failed to convert but the Hinch were back in front 8-7.
From the restart Hinch started to gain a bit of momentum and Ryan Bambry made a neat break in the 28th minute off-loading off the deck to put Michael Graham clear, the big Hinch flanker beat Ballymena fullback Peter Budina to score under the posts. Bambry added the extras taking the Hinch 15-7 clear.
Just as it looked as if the Hinch would pull away they were caught sleeping in the 36th minute when Tommy Seymour came off his wing to make the extra man down the blind side to race over for his second score. Drysdale added the conversion to bring the score to 15-14.
In the 38th minute Ryan Bambry added 3 more points for the home side when he converted a second penalty goal to leave the Hinch to turn round at half time 18-14 in front.
Ballymena started the second half in determined mood Drysdale kicking two penalty goals in the 43rd and 55th minutes to take his side into the lead 18-20.
As the game started to enter the final quarter the Hinch side looked much stronger and fitter as they began to play the off-loading game, which has proved so successful last season. In the 68th minute good work from Bambry put Michael Graham through for his second try which Bambry in turn converted taking Hinch 25-20 clear. Five minutes later they secured a bonus point when centre Stuart Morrow bust clear and managed to reach for the line to score an unconverted try, taking the Hinch into a 30-20 lead.
With four minutes remaining a fifth try followed when Michael Graham crossed in the right hand corner for his hatrick try after a good build up by the pack stretched the visiting defence. Bambry narrowly missed the conversion leaving the Hinch 15 points clear at 35-20.
Ballymena held onto the ball for the remainder of the match denying the Hinch any chance of possession and when Rory Drysdale finally kicked the ball into touch a Ballymena player shouted “Cheerio Hinch – enjoy Division 2” and the final whistle blew. His statement was accurate enough as everyone waited to hear the news from Stevenson Park and Athlone. However, I am sure he was made to eat his words when he found out that Ballymena would but keeping us company next season.
It has been a disappointing campaign this year, a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly. We let things slip in a couple of games that we really should of won and that in the end has cost us dear. Ballymena away in the every first game and Buccaneers at home being two prime examples. It has been a learning curve, Division 1 is a tough place and the team will learn a lot from this season. I have no doubt we can bounce straight back up again next season.
