Antrim RFC 26 – 18 Ballynahinch
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Antrim continued their fabulous start to the season under coach Richard Smyth by smashing Ballynahinch’s long, unbeaten run to take them into contention for the title. Tries from Richard Smyth, Neil Manson, Matthew Webb and Toby Rowe, sealed the victory in what was a fantastic game for the spectator.
Antrim came racing out of the blocks and attacked Hinch from the start. The opening 10 minutes saw some good breaks from Darren Crooks, Neil Manson and David McKee.
The pack made an excellent job in retaining possession, allowing David McKee to burst through, with a good offload to player coach, Richard Smyth who raced through to touch down for his 3rd try in 2 games. Toby Rowe converted as Antrim took the lead at 7-0.
From the restart, Hinch attempted to make amends and venture into the Antrim half. As the ball flashed out the backline, Antrim pressured well and winger David Thompson was able to stop his opponent and turnover ball for the Antrim backline, who sent Jack Dempster through on a great run and a superb offload to Neil Manson who made great work of taking the ball over the line for Antrim’s second. Rowe converted once again as Antrim now lead 14-0 after 15 minutes.
Hinch began to up their tempo and were happy to keep the ball among the pack and drive the ball up into the Antrim 22. After a few silly errors, Hinch gained a scrum and were able to break a few tackles and crash down for the try with the score now 14-5 after the missed conversion.
Things went from bad to worse as Antrim hooker, Michael Duncan had to leave the pitch for hospital treatment with suspected broken ribs and was replace by Jason Vaughan. Antrim conceded a penalty in front of the posts which Hinch converted as Antrim went into half time holding a 14-8 lead.
As the second half opened, Antrim knew they needed to build on their lead and the pack did an absolutely fantastic job in the scrums as they overturned as many as five in this half, despite being the smaller bunch.
An Antrim turnover on a Hinch scrum, allowed the team to push right to the Hinch tryline with Matthew Dempster and Matthew Webb producing some good work to pick and drive for Webb to score and Rowe to convert, as Antrim now lead 21-8.
Both teams attacked but this half was all about the pack men who worked their socks off. 10 minutes into the half, an Antrim lineout was won and spread out to the backs, sending Richard Smyth and David McKee on a 30 metre run, only to be held up on the line.
Hinch began to feel the game sliding from their grasp and upped their tempo and it took some fantastic defence on the Antrim 22 metre to keep them at bay midway through the second half as David Thompson left the field for attention to be replaced by William Smith.
As the light began to deteriorate rapidly, both teams battled for the bragging rights and in between the multiple penalties conceded, Antrim were still crashing into the Hinch defence with runs from Andrew Calvert, Neil Manson and Darren Crooks.
Antrim were rewarded with some good pressure into the 22metre as Toby Rowe charged down a clearance kick onto the Hinch tryline to score as Antrim now lead 26-8.
With 10 minutes to go, Gary Smith replaced Martin Barr in the pack and Hinch launched wave after wave of attack. As Antrim held on bravely, Hinch scored 2 late tries in an effort to reduce the deficit. However they failed to convert, leaving the score at 26-18 and giving Antrim breathing space as this intense affair drew to close.
Coach Smyth was delighted with the result in which all players 1-15 plus replacements worked their socks off for that victory. Although not their best performance of the season, he enthused that the boys were still yet to show what they are truly capable of. Coach Smyth nominated the club’s MB Hire Man of the Match Award to Matthew Webb, who was ever present at the breakdown, and worked tirelessly in what was a great team performance from his squad.
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