Donaghadee 13pts Ballynahinch 2’s 32pts
Hinch faced a difficult test playing the Junior Cup holders, Donaghadee in the last 16 of the cup. The 2’s didn’t make life easy for themselves -when straight from the kick off they let the ball bounce and Dee managed to gather the ball and work their way into the Hinch 22 where after a number of phases they worked their way over the line and converted the try.
Hinch responded well to this set back and from the restart put Donaghadee under pressure with Jordan Heatley looking dangerous with ball in hand. Donaghadee where struggling to clear their lines and from a scrum just outside the Dee 22, Hinch worked a set piece move from a scrum which saw Murdock and Cullen put Lawton away on the outside and he beat the cover defence to score in the corner, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Dee came back into the game and when Hinch failed to clear their lines, they conceded a penalty, which was kicked to put the opposition 5 points ahead. Hinch once again responded well and with Donaghadee’s continued infringements at the break down Lawton had the opportunity to kick a penalty, which was successful.
Hinch began to control the game with Gavin Armstrong and John Gunson carrying well in the loose but a lack of discipline at key times allowed Dee to clear their lines and they managed to work their way up the pitch and create another penalty opportunity which was once again successful to put the holders further ahead.
Hinch finished the half well and when Armstrong made a break into the Dee 22 a try looked on but a Hinch player was tackled without the ball and Lawton converted the resulting penalty to leave Hinch 2 points behind but with the advantage of the wind in the second half.
Hinch started the second half strongly and following a carry by Gunson into the 22, Paddy James was on hand to take an offload and dive over the line, Lawton converted to put Hinch into the lead for the first time. Hinch continued to play with width to their game and Stuart Paul put Lawton away on the outside and from his own 10m line he managed to beat three defenders before going over beside the posts making the conversion a formality. Hinch controlled the game for the next 20 minutes, and from a 5 metre lineout the pack mauled over for Gavin Armstrong to score, Lawton again added the extras.
In the final ten minutes Dee threw everything at the Hinch defence but time and time again they were pushed back and turned over allowing Hinch to clear their lines and see out the game with a final score of 32-13.
Team
J. Cullen, M. Lawton, P. James, D. Harris, J. Heatley, S. Paul, J. Murdock, A. Glenn, D. Steele, D. Maguire, J. Gunson, M. Connolly, J. McMullan, G. Armstrong, M. McKeown. Subs A. McBratney, B. McMullan
