Hinch Let Quarter-Final Slip In Final Minutes
Ballynahinch 34pts City Of Derry 40pts
For the second year in succession City of Derry have knocked the Hinch out of the Ulster Senior Cup, but in truth this is a game that the Hinch had all but won by half time but failed to turn up for the second half. All credit to the Derry men for showing tremendous spirit and determination but the Hinch coaches will not be happy their side let this one slip through to the keeper.
The conditions were pretty bad as the wind and rain blasted down Ballymacarn Park from Slieve Croob, the Hinch playing with the advantage in the first half. The home side, playing in a changed strip, took the lead in the 6th minute when James Lash converted a penalty goal after Derry were caught offside in front of their posts.
Derry immediately struck back taking the ball through a number of phases before flanker Richie Baird spotted a gap on the blind side of a ruck on the Hinch 22 to sprint over for the opening score. The conversion from Peoples was wide but Derry had taken the lead 3-5 with 9 minutes played.
Derry continued to attach the Hinch defence and Peoples increased their lead to 5-8 with a penalty goal in the 19th minute.
From the restart Lash countered with his second successful goal to make it 6-8, but a turnover on halfway by Derry sent the home defence into turmoil 2 minutes later. Scrum half Simon Logan moved quick ball left where play raced into the Hinch 22, Derry playing a continuity game flanker Stephen Corr crossed the whitewash for a second unconverted try to take his side 6-13 clear.
The Hinch brought the scores level after a strong build up from the pack released play into the Derry 22 and eventually the phases mounted to create the space for loose head Chris Stevenson to smash his way over and behind the posts. Lash added the extras to tie the scores at 13pts apiece.
This spell of play clearly gave the Hinch men renewed confidence and within three minutes they ran in another two tries. The first came in the 31st minute and was a tremendous solo effort from James Lash who broke the gain line on halfway then ran into open space where his arcing line caught Derry cold and he dived in under the posts. He then converted his try to take the Hinch back into the lead 20-13.
From the restart the home side counter attacked and the ball quickly found the hands of second row Chris Napier at full pace. Napier headed for the line throwing a dummy to wrong foot fullback Peter Henderson and crashed over for the third Hinch try. Lash again added the extras taking the Hinch 27-13 clear.
Lash missed with a long range penalty attempt in the 36th minute and then in the final play of the half there was a dust up between the two packs, the outcome was a yellow card for Hinch loose head Chris Stevenson and Derry hooker Sam McAuley for exchanging pleasantries. Half-Time Ballynahinch 27 City of Derry 13.
When the game restarted the visitors caught the Hinch cold taking play into the home half Henderson came into the line at pace to finish off an excellent backline move. The conversion attempt from Peoples was missed to leave the score at 27-18.
The score gave the Derry men real hope and they earnestly set up siege exerting long periods of pressure in the Hinch 22
In the 48th minute number 8 Stephen Ferguson was on the end of a forward dive to claim his sides fourth try which Peoples converted to close the score to 27-25.
As the conditions deteriorated the Hinch found it almost impossible to get out of their half of the field and the introduction on the experienced Richard McCarter to the Derry ranks simply added to their frustration.
With 12 minutes remaining Henderson caused havoc when he raced into the line and opened the Hinch defence in two. He took play deep into the Hinch 22 where McCarter was on hand to take a great line and cross beside the posts. He then converted his try to take Derry into the lead 27-32.
The Hinch immediately lifted their came from the restart and good counter-rucking forced a turnover in the 74th minute. The ball was quickly flashed to Lash who made it through a gap where Chris Napier and Jonny Madden carried on the attack. Play was whipped right where Robin Harte battled well to cross for the fourth Hinch try. Now tied at 34pts apiece Lash needed to slot the conversion to give his side the lead and his effort bisected the uprights with ease.
With 6 minutes remaining and the score at 34-32 the Hinch just needed to play smart rugby but Derry got their hands on the ball and immediately forced the Hinch back into their 22. With 4 minutes remaining Derry flanker Richie Baird cut a great line wrong footing the Hinch defence on their 22 and he ran in unopposed to score. The extras were missed by McCarter, but the visitors had taken the lead at this crucial late stage 34-37.
In the final minutes the Hinch had to try and run from deep by Derry continually infringed. Eventually David Huston was yellow carded with 2 minutes to go but it was the Derry men who had the final say with McCarter slotting over a penalty goal to complete the scoring and take his side safely through to the semi-final draw this week.
A disappointing result to say the least, now attention returns to the Ulster Bank League with the visit of UCC to Ballymacarn Park this weekend. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
3’s Run Riot At Rifle Park
Banbridge 3rdXV 6pts Ballynahinch 3rdXV 53pts
Hinch 3rds continued their winning run with a 53points to 6 demolition of Banbridge 3rds. The ‘Hinch entered the game with several personnel changes with heavy weights Morton and Murdock returning to the back row, Sonny Bill Gilkinson moved to centre and Connolly moved to the 2nd row to accompany Gunson.
From the early exchanges the Ballymacarn men were always on top of their opponents, Gilkinson, Gunson and Dickson all making barraging runs in the first quarter. However it was Gunson who was first to get over the whitewash as he charged down the wing. Irwin was on the end of a well worked maul to score giving the Hinch a 12 point cushion.
Keith Dickson came close to scoring in the first half although he decided to pass to McBriar who unfortunately left his hands at home. Gunson got his 2nd score of the match from a pick up and drive giving the men in Green a 17-6 lead at half time having played all the rugby into the wind.
Coach Carter aka Ian Dornan was at hand at half time to lend some words of guidance to the men, although he just said for the boys to continue to do the same, as the Banbridge boys were clearly starting to tire.
In the next 20 minutes Ballynahinch managed to score six tries. The youngster Nugent got a brace, while the Veteran Gunson used his weight to collect a hat trick. Keith Dickson Neil Reid and Gareth Murdock got one try each.
The 3rds have scored over 130 points in the last 3 games with only 6 points against so they are setting the standard in the Junior League.
The 3rd XV would like to wish Matthew Connolly all the best as he travels to Australia into the middle of next year, he will be missed both on and off the pitch. He has played really well since the start of the season and has always performed beyond his years.
Thurgate Hatrick At Hatrick Park
Rainey Old Boys 3’s 3pts Evergreens 32pts
Nichola McIlwaine reports from Hatrick Park
Hinch Evergreens made the long trip up to Rainey hoping to continue the success after their win in Banbridge last week. The Hinch squad, a mix of experience and youth were out warming up before half of the Rainey squad had even shown up!
Hinch won the toss and elected to play into the wind and the match got underway. Rainey were first on the scoreboard after successfully slotting a penalty over.
This seemed to spur on the Hinch squad who thanks to the first Hugh Thurgate try got themselves on the scoreboard. The conversion was unsuccessful.
Hinch continued to keep the game under control with several good runs, which Rainey found difficult to control and soon Hinch were rewarded with a penalty, which was slotted over. Another Hugh Thurgate try which was converted gave hinch a 15-3 lead at Half time.
In the second half Hinch brought on some fresh legs, and as Rainey continued to struggle to control the pressure from Hinch legally, the game began to turn scrappy, however Hinch kept their cool and got another three points from a well struck penalty. Connor Patterson was next on the scoreboard after the “portly” number 8 picked up from the back of a scrum to cross the line. Try Converted.
Hinch led 25-3. With the game well and truly under control, Hugh Thurgate completed his hat-trick and with the kick converted; Hinch now led 32-3 until the final whistle was blown.
A well deserved win with some great play in the hinch forwards and backs alike.
Clogher Valley C League Home Lost 15 – 29 II XV
Enniskillen 2 League Home Won 22 – 15 IV XV
Portadown 3 League Away Lost 28 – 10 V X
