Ballynahinch 31pts Rainey Old Boys 10pts
For the second week in a row a young and relatively inexperienced Ballynahinch team came from behind to secure a bounus point victory over the Rainey Old Boys.
Hinch started slowly and perhaps the exertions of Tuesday nights match against Ulster U20 XV had taken its toll as they struggled for territory and possession.
Rainey dictated matters and after Gavin Martin missed with a penalty they took the lead on 12 minutes when hooker Colm Heaney kicked a massive penalty from 50 yards. Two minutes later with Rainey on the ascendancy Paul Heaney darted through some poor defensive tackles to score with Gavin Martin converting to leave the Magherafelt men leading 10pts to nil.
Hinch raised their game but were thwarted by a sound Rainey defence who maximised the offside law to their advantage. A number of scoring chances went abegging before No 8 Michael Graham (on 37 minutes) scored following a period of sustained pressure to leave the half-time score 5-10 to Rainey.
The introduction of Gavin Armstrong at wing forward had a very positive effect on the rest of the Hinch pack and after 46 minutes following a half break by Harry McAleese and good off load by Michael Graham centre Paddy James touched down for his first try for the club. McAleese converted to give the Hinch the lead for the first time.
Rainey’s defence stood firm to everything that Hinch could throw at them and it was only following a quickly taken penalty that a fine passing amongst the forwards full back Gregg Taylor scored for McAleese to convert on 63 minutes. Rainey came back into the game and it was only through a sound defence that kept
them out.
Fitness began to tell and in the last 10 minutes Toby Manus and Harry McAleese with an intercept put the game beyond Rainey with two tries converted by McAleese to leave the final score 31-10 to Hinch. A much improved performance in the second half with young players Robin Harte, John Madden and Gavin Armstrong all stepping up to the mark.
Next up Malone in the First Trust Senior Cup at home next Saturday where it is hoped players like Neil Hanna, James Thompson, Stewart Morrow, Adam Craig, Josh Donaldson and Academy players James Simpson and David McGuigan may be available for selection.
2’s START THEIR LEAGUE CAMPAIGN WITH A 50 POINT VICTORY Hinch as defending league champions started their season in style recording a 50 pts to nil victory
