2’s take maximum points in Ballynahinch
The Ballyclare side contained 4 players from last seasons under 18’s in Bradley Cahill, Jo McConnell, Paddy Greer and Matthew Coulter. The young players all performed well against a physical Hinch side and helped the side to a great victory.
Ballyclare started very positively, finding good position in the Hinch half. Ballynahinch were penalised at a ruck, scrum half Andy Watson stroked the ball between the posts to give Ballyclare an early lead. 0-3.
With 25 mins gone in the first half, Ballyclare still on top, but had been unable to break through the Hinch defence. The Clare pack, led by Captain Willie Rea, progressed into Hinch territory. The ball broke left where Tom Wilson received a pass, broke through 2 would be tacklers and ran in from the 22m for Ballyclare’s first score of the day. Watson added the conversion for a lead of 10 points. The try breakthrough lifted the Clare players as their domination in the first period continued. Hinch were penalised for holding back, off the ball as William Stevenson hunted down a loose ball. Watson again stepped up a struck the ball well from the 10m line in front of posts to keep the score board ticking in Ballyclare’s favour, as the half time whistle sounded. 0-13
Watson added a third penalty at the start of the second half, however Ballynahinch capitalised on a period of good possession of their own. With play inside the Ballyclare 22m, Hinch kicked to the corner and tried to drive over the Ballyclare line. Ballyclare resisted the first attempt but were penalised in the defensive efforts. Hinch again kicked for touch and this time broke the Ballyclare defence, after a couple of phases to score. It was converted from wide to leave the score 7-16.
Ballynahinch performed better in the second period as Ballyclare had to defend for periods. In the last quarter of the match, Tom Wilson, who was having an excellent game at centre, broke with the ball on the Hinch 22. Showing great strength to hand off 2 defenders he ran in for his second try of the afternoon. Watson continued his good showing with the boot added the conversion. 7-23
With the game heading towards full time, and a likely Ballyclare win the team still managed to add two further tries. Alex Ottey showing good strength and determination to reach out to touch the ball down as he was just caught by a Hinch player as he was about to cross. With Watson off the pitch as part of the rolling substitutions, used effectively, Squishy added the conversion. 7-30. Ross Johnston added the bonus point score on full time with a strong drive over, Stephen Beasant added the conversion. 7-37
A very entertaining Ballyclare performance, with some great attacking play and resilience in defence. The team all performed well with Wilson, Watson and Reid probably the pick of the backs. In the forwards, Ross and Kirk Johnston along with Jordan McKinstry, Ross Scott and Michael Stephenson ensured Ballyclare had a great platform for attack.
