Division 2 league leaders Ballynahinch maintained their early season form with another impressive bonus point win, secured in a 12 try showdown in the local derby against Malone at Gibson Park.
Malone played with the advantage of a slight breeze during the first half and it was no surprise to see their out half Josh Pentland have a shot at goal in the second minute but his effort was wide off the mark. The County Down men began to settle and quickly dominated with number 8 Michael Graham driving play forward and centres James Thompson and Stuart Morrow running some great lines to open up the Malone defence.
The Hinch opened the scoring in the 8th minute after a number of phases of play, has pushed Malone deep into their 22. The quick ball was moved left where a neat break by centre James Thompson created room on the outside for flanker Gary Crowe to cross for the opening try. Ryan Bambry converted to take the Hinch 7 points clear.
The Hinch pack took a ball against the head in the 20th minute with Michael Graham attacking from the base of the scrum. The home side were pressed back to their 5-metre line as the Hinch went through a number of phases. The ball was then flashed left where Aaron Ferris had enough room to beat Malone fullback Michael Barker into the corner to cross for the second score. Bambry failed to convert leaving the Hinch 12 points clear.
Pentland missed another penalty attempt in the 34th minute but the Belfast side struck for their first points 2 minutes later after fullback Michael Barker countered from an Adam Craig kick ahead. Malone took the counter-attack through a number of phases then Mark McCrea, playing in the centre, spotted a gap and sprinted in to dot down behind the posts. Pentland’s conversion was a formality and suddenly Malone were back in the contest trailing by 5 points 7-12.
Hinch struck for their third try in the first minute of injury time. Malone were caught offside in front of their posts 5 metres out, but quick thinking from scrum half Harry McAleese caught the home side cold, when he moved the ball wide to Jerry Cronin and Jonny Cullen and they created room for fullback Adam Craig to sprint in to score. Bambry hit both uprights with the ball but it failed to count and the score remained 7-17 at halftime.
The bonus point was secured in the first minute of the second half, fullback Adam Craig taking advantage of some poor defensive lapses and he managed to stretch his way over in the left hand corner for is second try of the afternoon. Bambry converted from the touchline taking the Hinch 7-24 clear.
In the 46th minute a good forward build up from the Hinch pack put their big second row James Simpson in space just inside the Malone 22. He impressed with his strength and determination as he sidestepped then stretched for the line to score beside the posts. Bambry added the extras to make the score 7-31.
With the game now over as a contest both teams took the opportunity to empty their benches and Hinch flanker Matthew Irvine wasted no time in getting his name on the score sheet. In the 61st minute David Drake moved turnover ball wide where Graham and Simpson put Irvine into space and he did well to beat the Malone cover to cross for the sixth Hinch try. Bambry added the extras to make the score 7-38.
Turn over ball on halfway two minutes later sent Hinch on the attack again with Robin Harte racing down the right wing to dive in at the corner flag. Once again Bambry added the extras to take the score to 7-45.
With a lot of changes to both teams, spaces started to appear in defences and the game started to get a bit loose. Mark McCrea grabbed his second try in the 65th minute when the ball found McCrea with space in midfield and he dotted down under the posts for Pentland to convert. 14-45
Young Hinch prop Kyle McCall found himself in space in the 67th minute and impressed with a fine turn of speed and some direct running. McCall took play into the Malone 22 off-loading to Michael Graham who battled to the line for the eighth Hinch try which was converted by McAleese to make the score 14-52 with 12 minutes still to play
Hinch struck for their ninth try straight from the restart. Michael Graham gathered the kick and charged up field and Malone were caught flat-footed. It looked as if the big Hinch number 8 would make the line but as he entered the 22 he fed inside to Harry McAleese in support, and the Hinch scrum half finished off the score. McAleese then converted the extras taking the Hinch tally to 59 points.
Mark McCrea grabbed his hatrick in the 75th minute. A great run from Kyle McCall had opened the Malone defence once again, but as the visitors attempted to throw the ball wide a poor pass went to ground, and the loose ball was snatched by McCrea and he flew down the left wing to dot down under the posts for Pentland to convert and complete the scoring – 21-59. In an exciting final few minutes Malone lifted their game as they pressed for a 4th try bonus point, but the Hinch tightened their defence and denied them anything from this contest.
MALONE – 15 Michael Barker,14 Chris Rowan,13 John Anderson,12 Mark McCrea, 11 Taylor Acheson, 10 Josh Pentland, 9 Michael Wilson, 8 Kenny Calladine, 7 Jamie Chapman, 6 Ryan Wilson, 5 Matthew Hadden, 4 Neil Alcorn, 3 Ali Coulson, 2 Daryl Maxwell, 1 David Halliday
Replacements – 16 Simon Bailie, 17 Lee Barlow, 18 Nathan Rankin, 19 Ben Duckett, 20 Shane Kelly
BALLYNAHINCH – 15 Adam Craig,14 Jonny Cullen, 13 Stuart Morrow, 12 James Thompson,11 Aaron Ferris, 10 Ryan Bambry, 9 Harry McAleese, 8 Michael Graham, 7 Josh Donaldson, 6 Gary Crowe, 5 James Simpson, 4 Chris Napier, 3 Jerry Cronin, 2 Matthew Nelson, 1 Chris Stevenson
Replacements – 16 Neil Hanna, 17 Kyle McCall, 18 David Drake, 19 Matthew Irvine, 20 Robin Harte
The next couple of weekends are crucial for the Hinch side as the strive to stay top of Division 2 and they will face two University sides from Dublin. Next week Trinity will travel to Ballymacarn Park where another big home will be called for. The atmosphere at the home games this season have been great with a large support turning out to watch some very entertaining local rugby. The club are calling for another big turn out to support the team, pre-match lunch is at 1 o’clock with the kick-off at 2.30pm.
The following week will be a tough encounter with UCD at Belfield in Dublin. The students are the Hinch’s closest rivals and sit just 2 points behind in second place but all thoughts are focused on the visit of Trinity to Ballymacarn Park this Saturday.
