Thrilling Cup tie in Armagh last night with Ballynahinch holding on to win 17 – 16. On a dry pitch the action was fast and furious with Armagh player coach Seamus Mallon breaking the deadlock after 12 mins to score a fine try with centre Matthew Steenson adding the conversion. Steenson increased their lead to 10 – 0 with a well struck penalty after 20 mins with Hinch losing their second row Andy Simpson to injury. Coming up to half time Ballynahinch finally breached the Armagh defence with replacement second row Keith Dickson touching down for a try with centre Richard Reaney converting to leave the halftime score at 10 – 7 in Armagh’s favour. The second half was equally gripping with Steenson adding a further penalty to increase Armagh’s lead to 13 – 7. Injuries continued to mount up for Ballynahinch with props Craig Trenier and Stuart Orr having to be replaced by Conor Pyper and Andrew Harper. With a Cup upset on the cards Hinch coach Derek Suffern brought on Davy Nicholson and James McBriar to replace Jordan Gratton and Harry McAleese. McBriar’s introduction at out half turned the game in Ballynahinch’s favour. Under pressure on their own line Armagh conceded penalties and lost a player to the sin bin. Hinch capitalised on their numerical advantage with McBriar cutting through the Armagh defence to score a fine individual try with Reaney adding the conversation to give Ballynahinch a 14 – 13 lead. With time running out Armagh won a penalty with Steenson striking a forty metre penalty to put his side 16 – 14 up with time almost up. Four mins into injury time ex Armagh captain and out half Richard Reaney converted a penalty to give Ballynahinch a winning 17 – 16 lead, despite a further nail biting six minutes of injury time. Thrilling cup tie that lived up to its expectations. Armagh coach Andy Hughes will have been both delighted and disappointed by the result. His players lead by their excellent scrum half Harry Doyle almost pulled off a shock win against Ulster’s top club side. Once again Ballynahinch had the squad depth on their bench to influence the outcome of this match. Their coach Derek Suffern will be alarmed by his growing injury list that has ruled out Sam Arnold, Kenny Morton, Thomas Donnan and Rodger McBurney for several weeks with AIL league action due to resume on Sat 1st Nov. Hinch supporters will have the opportunity to watch their latest Kiwi addition – Sam Honey when he lines out for Ballynahinch seconds against Armagh seconds at Ballymacarn Park on Friday night. Cup action continues tonight with Belfast Harlequins entertaining City of Derry at Deramore Park with a 8pm kick off followed by the two remaining cup ties between Ballymena and Banbridge and Rainey OB v Malone on Friday night.
