Victory over HInch for impressive 2s
CLICK HERE for I XV pictures v Limavady RFC I XV
Hinch kicked off, on what was a cold but still day at Belmont. The Hinch pack were large and physical and were a well organised team – as is to be expected from Hinch. Grosvenor spent the first 20 minutes repelling Hinch attacks. Grosvenor had their hands full dealing with Hinch’s powerful runners, coming round the corner and winning quick ruck ball. Against the run of play – following a number of phases of good ball retention – Grosvenor were awarded a penalty in front of the posts; duly converted by out-half James Taylor. Quickly following the kick off Grosvenor managed to exert pressure on the Hinch defence, and again Taylor converted the penalty. 6-0 Grosvenor.
Hinch’s powerful runners, marshalled by their general at scrum-half, forayed deep into Grosvenor territory. It required sterling defence from the Grosvenor team as time and again Hinch were stopped just short of the line. Grosvenor’s fortitude in repelling attacks limited Hinch to a solitary penalty kick. 6-3 in favour of Grosvenor. The remainder of the first half saw Grosvenor miss a number of long range penalties that were speculative, but worth trying in such a closely fought encounter. Grosvenor looked dangerous when they retained posession and put phases together, however all too often the larger Hinch pack was able to hold up Grosvenor attackers and force a turn over. Grosvenor went into the half-time break 6-3 in front.
The second half played out much as the first. This match turned into a real arm wrestle, with neither team able to exert true dominance. Hinch’s strong running was again rewarded with a penalty leaving the scores tied at 6-6. Grosvenor began to play the game that brings them success; quick phase play opening up space for the backs out wide. As Grosvenor successfully stretched the game away from the bulkier Hinch forwards, a try looked inevitable. Alan Wray made a surging break only for the ball to go loose at the line and Simon Beattie beat defenders out-wide a number of times, only for the supporting play to fail him. All the while Hinch’s rumbling forwards posed a potent threat to the Grosvenor line.
Following a number of phases Hinch entered the side of a ruck awarding Grosvenor a penalty just in front of Hinch’s 10 metre line. Taylor stepped up, kicked for posts and the ball had just enough flight to go over the posts 9-6 Grosvenor. The lead never looked truly comfortable and whilst Grosvenor could have extended the lead a number of time, so Hinch could have gained it. The final few minutes were played out on the Grosvenor five metre line with some manful defending. One last moment of drama occurred in the final play of the game. Having turned the ball over, scrum-half Neil adams went to kick the ball into touch. The ball struck a Grosvenor player and landed into the hands of a greatful hinch player who burst for the line, only to be bundled into touch. The final whistle blew and brought a pulsating game of rugby to an end. Final score Grosvenor 9 Hinch 6.
This was a fine win for Grosvenor against a strong Hinch outfit. The entire pack gets a nod for facing up to their much larger opposite numbers. Man of the match goes to Jon Montgomery who carried strongly and was a real rock in Grosvenor’s second row.
4s Return to Winners Enclosure
Grosvenor 4s took on table toppers Ballynahinch 6s in a crucial game at Aircraft Park on Saturday knowing that a much improved performance was required following the debacle of the previous week against Malone. Conditions at Shorts were good and the 4s really are getting used to the many undulations of the pitch so it all boded well for a good game.
Grosvenor started well and were exerting good pressure on the Hinch team but never really threatened the try line. The Hinch team were employing the choke tackle to great effect and were also testing the patience of the Grosvenor supporters with their constant (un-noticed) infringements around the breakdown area. They were vastly superior in this area of the game all day.
Hinch were to score the only points of the first half with a converted try under the posts.
A tactical switch at halftime which saw Craig Steele move from scrum half to flanker led to an upping of the tempo and increased competitiveness from Grosvenor and Hinch began to creak under the pressure. They conceded a number of penalties and Marc Brown converted one to bring the score to 7-3.
Grosvenor continued to pile the pressure on Ballynahinch and after several phases of close play Glen McCready finally stretched over the line and Marc Brown added the conversion to take the score to 10-7 with some 10 minutes left in the match.
Hinch gave it all for the final 10 minutes but Grosvenor hung on for a much needed and well deserved victory.
Man of the match goes to Andy Kenny who is a barrel of perpetual motion and his line out throws are becoming much more consistent.
